Scott Rumana

Ask leaders of the two Republican factions in Passaic County how they swept the county office elections last night and you get two different interpretations.

Passaic County Republican Chairman Scott Rumana (R-Wayne), who's also an assemblyman, attributed the win to the dominant Democratic Party losing touch with the county's residents. 

"You have citizens in Passaic County who have been disenfranchised by the Democratic Party," he said.  "We've been pulling in people who were not part of the party for many years, and that's really been a big, big help in this process."

In a stunning upset, Republicans beat three Democrats - including the incumbent freeholder director, Tahesha Way - and won the county clerk seat

Rumana said that his party's "team building" approach to leadership also played a role.

But Mike Mecca, who is chairman of the splinter group GOP Strong - which challenged Rumana for his chairmanship and supported assembly primary candidates against him - said that Kristin Corrado, county clerk candidate that GOP Strong recruited to defeat the PCRRO's candidate in the June primary -- led the Republican ticket to victory.

Passaic County Republicans Work Together to Sweep Elections

Republican Governor, Assemblymen, County Clerk, Freeholders, and Local Officials Victorious 

The Record has endorsed Assemblymen David Russo (R-Ridgewood) and Scott Rumana (R-Wayne) for re-election.

"The wounds from infighting have begun to heal, and there is little reason not to support the incumbents for reelection," the editorial said.

Ridgewood, NJ – Today 40th District Assembly candidates John Agostinelli and Mark Bombace were endorsed by Bergen County Sheriff Leo McGuire and local elected officials in Bergen and Passaic Counties - including Ridgewood Councilman Paul Aronsohn, Wanaque Councilwoman Karen Cisco, Little Falls Council President William Liess, Little Falls Councilman Paul Huggins, and Little Falls Councilman Joseph Sisco.
 

Ridgewood, NJ – John Agostinelli and Mark Bombace have been endorsed by the 5,000 member Professional Fire Fighter Association of New Jersey - joining the 50,000 members of the Bergen County Central Trades and Labor Council as the second trade association to endorse John & Mark.  These endorsements show broad support for Agostinelli & Bombace and the commitment they have to bringing jobs back to the 40th District. 

Ridgewood, NJ – Today 40th District Assembly candidates John Agostinelli and Mark Bombace called upon Wayne Councilwoman and Assemblyman Scott Rumana’s Chief-of-Staff Ann Mary O’Rourke to step down from her position in Assemblyman Rumana’s legislative office as Chief of Staff.  As a Wayne Councilwoman she cannot be objective in serving every town of the 40th District. 

Two long-shot Democrats running for Assembly in the 40th District yesterday offered Assemblymen Scott Rumana (R-Wayne) and Dave Russo (R-Ridgewood) $100 if they agree to debate them in the three counties that make up the district.

After seeing a letter Rumana sent out to supporters earlier last month in which he appeals for donations for a September 21 fundraiser after being drained by a costly primary campaign, Democrats John Agostinelli and Mark Bombace came up with the novel campaign stunt.

“I’ll write a check right now to their campaign if they agree to a debate in every county of the 40th District,” said Bombace.  “With all of the problems facing the 40th District the voters deserve to hear what our Assemblymen have been doing in Trenton.”

Rumana had to defend his Assembly seat and chairmanship of the Passaic County Regular Republican Organization last spring from challenges connected to a splinter Republican group called GOP Strong.  He won both races, setting him up to coast through the general election in this traditionally Republican district that is comprised of parts of Bergen, Passaic and Essex Counties.

Ridgewood, NJ - In light of a recent fundraising letter sent out by Assemblyman Scott Rumana claiming that he was struggling to raise money for his campaign, the Agostinelli & Bombace for Assembly campaign had pledged to donate $100 dollars to Rumana if he agrees to their challenge to debate in every county of the 40th District.

Below is an open letter from Jim Tighe, Campaign Manager for John Agostinelli and Mark Bombace to Assemblyman Scott Rumana and David Russo regarding debates before Election Day.  

-www.40thDistrict.com-

Ridgewood, NJ – Today the Agostinelli & Bombace campaign for real world values and bold new leadership in New Jersey’s 40th District released a 8-point plan to reform the political system in our State.