Montclair councilman backs McKeon, Collazos-Gill but sidesteps Senate primary

In the 27th district, Montclair Councilman Peter Yacobellis has endorsed Assemblyman John McKeon (D-West Orange) for re-election and Alixon Collazos-Gill for an open seat, and the Democratic organization candidates for Essex County Commissioner.

“These two together will be a force—two people I can text or call whenever Montclair needs something. With strong Montclair roots for both of their families, we can be sure they’ll advocate for us,” the at-large councilman said.  “From school funding to environmental issues to women’s and civil rights, this is the dream Assembly team who will help Montclair start to get its fair share of state resources. ”

But Yacobellis declined to take sides in the State Senate primary, where redistricting put two longtime Democratic state senators, Nia Gill (D-Montclair) and Richard Codey (D-Roseland), into the same district.

McKeon and Collazos-Gill face former Montclair school board member Eve Robinson, who is running on the Nia Gill slate, and former Assemblyman Craig Stanley, who is running on his own.  Stanley had represented the next-door 28th district for 14 years before losing a 2007 primary.

Thomas P. Giblin (D-Montclair) is retiring after eighteen years in the State Assembly.