In spite of recent gossip, rumor and whack-o conspiracies floating about, pictures don't lie. So there he is, Freeholder Anthony 'Stick' Romano picking up petitions yesterday at the Hudson County Board of Elections.
Fact: this will be a huge turnout election.
On November 3, 2020, New Jersey's District 5 voters will choose their Freeholder and the American president. Be it Biden or Sanders or Buttegieg or Warren or Bloomberg or Booker, the Democratic presidential nominee will sit atop the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) line on our ballot.
On November 3, 2020, New Jersey's District 5 voters will choose their Freeholder and the American president. Be it Biden or Sanders or Buttegieg or Warren or Bloomberg or Booker, the Democratic presidential nominee will sit atop the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) line on our ballot.
Imagine that. Trump's Democratic opponent sitting atop "the line" (Column A on the ballot) with the HCDO's nominee for Freeholder, a slam-dunk victory for whomever the HCDO picks. Running "off-the-line" next November is political Siberia.
So the questions, rumor, gossip, floating about concern: (1) who else is running for Freeholder, and (2) who the Hudson County Democratic Organization will put on "the line."
Sources say that Hoboken's Third Ward Councilman Michael Russo has been 'working it' to get the HCDO Freeholder slot, even lobbying District 33 Senator Brian Stack. (Yes, a sitting councilperson can run, but if he or she wins, their council seat must be vacated.)
So, if Councilman Russo runs, will the HCDO keep Anthony 'Stick' Romano on the line- virtually handing him the Freeholder seat?
GA asked a plugged-in Hudson County political insider. He replied:
"Why would the HCDO disrespect Stick's loyalty in the hour of need by not reciprocating in his hour of need?"
So, if Councilman Russo runs, will the HCDO keep Anthony 'Stick' Romano on the line- virtually handing him the Freeholder seat?
GA asked a plugged-in Hudson County political insider. He replied:
"Why would the HCDO disrespect Stick's loyalty in the hour of need by not reciprocating in his hour of need?"
I take that to be a yes.
In which case, "hour of need" means the ill-fated Fulop-Stack plan to oust Tom DeGise from the County Executive HCDO line, by way of Stack running for Chair of the HCDO. Yes, Anthony Romano supported DeGise in his "hour of need" by backing Tom DeGise's daughter, Amy DeGise, against Stack. Now the DeGise family appears to be returning Stick's loyalty.
In which case, "hour of need" means the ill-fated Fulop-Stack plan to oust Tom DeGise from the County Executive HCDO line, by way of Stack running for Chair of the HCDO. Yes, Anthony Romano supported DeGise in his "hour of need" by backing Tom DeGise's daughter, Amy DeGise, against Stack. Now the DeGise family appears to be returning Stick's loyalty.
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| https://www.insidernj.com/romano-celebrates-holidays-looks-shoulder/ |
All of this loyalty stuff among Hudson County officials is adorable. What about loyalty to the Hoboken taxpayer who underwrites the fat in the County budget?
Any loyalty there?
The "line" really doesn't mean much in Hoboken, as we saw when the unified old Hoboken political factions carried Stick to victory over Phil Cohen. Phil got the "reform" vote and pretty much nothing more despite having the "line."
ReplyDeleteThe presidential primary will generate a far larger and broader electorate this year so the "line" will likely mean even less.
Stick vs Russo would be IMHO too close to call no matter who gets the "line."As for which would be the less bad choice for Hoboken - well that too is too close to call.
Respect your opinion, but mine is that folks will see the Dem nominee on the ballot and vote down the line .
DeleteAlso, respectfully disagree about the turnout in June beating the turnout next November when the Orange Caligula is on the ballot. You kidding me? My cats want to register to vote in that one (they're loyal Dem-o-cats). I am expecting a Dem tsunami- hope that's right!
GA we're talking about the primary not the general election. Only 1 of the presidential candidates, if any, probably Booker if anybody, be on the "line" and frankly the HCDO endorsement in a presidential primary is worth literally nothing.
DeleteYou're probably right about the general but I don't think that will be a contested race.
Nice knowing that his kid is doing politics while on county time. Let's check his time sheet
ReplyDeleteThe Country will do what the Mayor's want Bhalla,Fulop and Stack if they want mike Russo Joe Branco or Tony Sores
ReplyDeleteIf only he'd stop parking his County owned / free gas guzzling SUV in the bike lane on Washington Street... Stick doesn't care about Hoboken, he likes all the perks of the job and all the patronage and free stuff.
ReplyDeleteWonder if his team will deploy a late night terror flyer... Some say it was his campaign since his manager has ties to Booker who tweeted the flyer in milliseconds of it being spotted... Oy! Stick should bow out gracefully... they'll set him up in a cushy county gig somewhere anyway.
ReplyDelete