Passaic Dems tap Ramaglia, Schratz for county commissioner

Passaic County Democrats picked Mike Ramaglia, a former Republican councilman from West Milford who switched parties after losing a 2015 mayoral primary, and Christina Schratz, a school board member in the city of Passaic, as the slogan-bearing candidates for county commissioner in the June primary.

Incumbent Terry Duffy did not compete after being told he would not get party support for an eighth term.  His running mate since 2005, Pat Lepore, is not seeking re-election.

Ramaglia and Schratz were selected over Paterson City Councilwoman Lilissa Mimms after appearing before a screening committee earlier today.

In a lineless, office block ballot primary, it’s still unclear if Duffy will run again.

Ramaglia was the top choice of the county chairman, John Currie.  Schratz’s candidacy comes three months after Donald Trump carried the city of Passaic by 4.5% — a seismic shift from Joe Biden’s 26-point win in 2020 as Hispanic and Orthodox Jewish voters went Republican in the presidential election.

Republicans will run former County Commissioner Nicolino Gallo, who lost re-election by 3,354 votes last year.  The GOP has not settled on a second candidate.