Joe D endorses Brendan G in NJ-11 special election

Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill (D-Montclair) continues to consolidate support in his home of Essex County ahead of next year’s special election for New Jersey’s 11th congressional district, picking up a major endorsement today from Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo.

“For the last 14 years, Brendan and I have worked together in county government to revitalize our parks, preserve open spaces like the Essex-Hudson Greenway, modernize our infrastructure and stabilize county taxes,” DiVincenzo said in a statement. “I know Brendan will bring the same passion and determination to Congress that he has given to Essex as a commissioner.”

The endorsement comes one day before the Essex County Democratic organization meets for a special convention to endorse a candidate and award its ballot slogan; support from DiVincenzo and other top Essex Democrats likely makes Gill the candidate to beat.

A resident of Roseland, DiVincenzo is an 11th district voter himself, and as Essex County Executive he represents nearly half of the district’s Democrats.

DiVincenzo’s support does not come as an enormous surprise: his chief of staff, Phil Alagia, and his deputy chief of staff, Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz (D-Newark), had both previously endorsed Gill for the seat, which was vacated last month by Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill. Many other local state legislators and county and local officials have also endorsed Gill’s congressional bid.

More than a dozen other Democrats are vying to succeed Sherrill in the February 5 special election. Today is a big day for the race: candidates have to file at least 500 petition signatures by 4 p.m., a deadline that may serve to winnow the field somewhat.