Brian Stack

There are not many sure things in New Jersey politics, but here’s one: you haven’t heard that last of Bernard Kenny.  The Senate Majority Leader, who decided to retire rather than fight Brian Stack in a Democratic primary (or challenge Jerramiah Healy to keep his Hudson County Democratic Chairmanship), continues to be the topic of considerable mystery these days as Democrats from Hudson County – and beyond – wonder what really happened on the morning of July 18.  That mind of speculation won’t go away, even after Kenny leaves office in a few weeks.

It was one of those Hudson County moments. West New York Mayor Silverio “Sal” Vega, who ran in a nasty State Senate primary race against Union City Mayor Brian Stack, stood with Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, a Stack ally, to announce a peace agreement of sorts in the 33rd district.

During the primary campaign six months ago, Vega had called Stack “crooked,” compared his hold on Union City to a cult of personality and accused him of bribing county committeemen and women to take their names off the ballot. Stack responded by Vega a “puppet” of the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO).

West New York Mayor/outgoing Assemblyman Silverio "Sal" Vega, who lost a bloody state senate primary campaign against Union City Mayor Brian Stack, appears ready to bury the hatchet.

Tomorrow, Vega and Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner will hold a press conference in 56th Street and Blvd East in West New York to call for unity in the 33rd legislative district. Vega said that Turner will appear on behalf of Stack, U.S. Rep. Albio Sires and the rest of the rival Democrats for Hudson County.

State Sen. Ray Lesniak was the kingmaker in the race for Senate Majority LeaderThe surging south got a seat at the table today, with third district state Sen. Stephen Sweeney chosen as majority leader after a hard fought, emotional battle with state Sen. Paul Sarlo.

Although the decision-making process was closed and the official decision was unanimous, sources say that Sweeney had the support of 14 of the 23 member caucus. Backing Sweeney were the expected south Jersey contingent -- Jeff Van Drew, Jim Whelan, Fred Madden, Dana Redd and John Adler. But he also had support from Senators from the rest of the state -- Brian Stack, Sandra Bolden Cunningham, Barbara Buono, Nicholas Scutari, Bob Smith, Ray Lesniak, Joe Vitale and Loretta Weinberg.

Jersey City Mayor and Hudson County Democratic Chairman Jerramiah Healy and Assemblyman/Union City Mayor Brian Stack have agreed upon a peace treaty that seems to unite a party that was deeply divided just a few months ago.

Healy went to Union City yesterday for a one-on-one meeting with Stack, who won the Democratic State Senate nomination in the 33rd district with 75% of the vote against a candidate backed by the HCDO. Healy, who didn't want war in the first place, and Stack have agreed to avoid contested primaries in June 2008.

That means freshman Congressman Albio Sires can seek re-election with the support of both Healy and Stack, making him the strong favorite to win re-election to a second term. 

Four legislators have been indicted this year on federal corruption charges, and a fifth has been told he is the target of a federal probe.

CHARGED: State Sen. Wayne Bryant (D-Camden); State Sen. Sharpe James (D-Essex); Assemblyman Alfred Steele (D-Passaic); Assemblyman Mims Hackett (D-Essex).

TARGETED: State Sen. Joseph Coniglio (D-Bergen)

SUBPOENAED: State Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Union); Assemblyman Robert Gordon (D-Bergen); Assemblywoman Joan Voss (D-Bergen); Assemblyman and Union City Mayor Brian Stack (D-Hudson)

UNCLEAR: U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez

When you’re a mayor in a heavily Latino district it helps to have someone around who speaks Spanish, and if you’re looking to offer favors in exchange for hogtying political rivals it is also helpful to have someone in a service organization who can help deliver those favors.

Union City Mayor Brian Stack has both in the form of Christopher Irizarry, according to mayors allied with the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO), which continues to battle Stack for control of the politically-charged county, and which refuses to cede any ground to the 33rd district insurgent and presumptive state senator who ran against the organization and won the Democratic Primary in June.

This latest stanza in the Stack saga has its roots that primary, in fact, when a roomful of skeptical reporters listened as Assemblyman ( and West New York Mayor Sal Vega) played a tape he said was his opponent in the race for senate.

BILL REQUIRING PROMPT VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS
BY NEW STATE RESIDENTS HEADS TO GOVERNOR

(TRENTON) - The General Assembly and the Senate today gave final legislative approval to legislation sponsored by Assemblymen Douglas H. Fisher, Brian P. Stack, Nelson T. Albano, Jeff Van Drew, and John J. Burzichelli that would require all new New Jersey residents to register their motor vehicles with the state Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) within 60 days of becoming a resident of the state.

Emerging from the wreckage of Election Day, State Senator (and North Bergen Mayor) Nicholas Sacco, said only time can heal the political wounds in Hudson County.

Known for his blunt talk and his executive ability to convincingly say "no" in a roomful of beseeching voices, the 32nd district senator, who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee, said the civil war between Assemblyman (and Union City Mayor) Brian P. Stack and the Hudson County Democratic Organization never had to happen.

"If Stack would have simply waited for (State Senator) Bernie Kenny to retire, there would have been one ticket," said Sacco, who enjoys close ties to the organization. "I think the reality now is we all have to work together and for the people of New Jersey.