All nine members of the Essex County Board of Commissioners have endorsed Newark City Council President LaMonica McIver in the special election for New Jersey’s 10th district, in yet another sign of Essex Democratic consolidation behind McIver for the late Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-Newark)’s seat.
Commissioners Tyshammie Cooper (D-East Orange), Brendan Gill (D-Montclair), Romaine Graham (D-Irvington), Leonard Luciano (D-West Orange), Robert Mercado (D-Newark), A’Dorian Murray-Thomas (D-Newark), Carlos Pomares (D-Bloomfield), Wayne Richardson (D-Newark), and Patricia Sebold (D-Livingston) – many of whom live within the Newark-based 10th district – jointly said this morning that McIver is the right choice for Congress.
“I have known the Councilwoman for a long time, and I have full faith in her integrity and dedication as the voice of this country and district in Congress,” Cooper said in a statement. “Her success as a public servant and leader in the City of Newark uniquely qualifies her to represent and advance the diverse interests of our residents. She knows what our communities need, and how to navigate a complex legislative body to get things done.”
Two of the commissioners, Murray-Thomas and Richardson, were on the New Jersey Globe’s initial list of potential contenders for the seat after Payne died in April. But once Essex Democratic leadership coalesced around McIver, they and most other top Essex Democrats decided not to run.
One Essex County elected official did step up to challenge McIver: former East Orange Councilwoman Brittany Claybrooks, who left office at the beginning this year after coming into conflict with her local party organization. Claybrooks is on bad enough terms with Essex Democrats that the New Jersey Democratic State Committee (whose chair, LeRoy Jones, also chairs the Essex Democratic Committee) waged a petition challenge to kick her off the ballot.
McIver has Jones’ endorsement for the July 16 special Democratic primary, as well as endorsements from many local state legislators and the family of the late Congressman Payne.
Also running in the Democratic primary are Hudson County Commissioner Jerry Walker (D-Jersey City), Linden Mayor Derek Armstead, state economic development official Darryl Gofrey, former Payne staffer Shana Melius, John Flora, Alberta Gordon, Sheila Montague, Debra Salters, and Eugene Mazo.
Walker and Armstead each have their own geographic bases in Hudson and Union Counties, respectively. Those counties make up a minority of the district, though, and the local organizations there are not unified behind their hometown candidates; Hudson Democrats are officially staying neutral in the race, while Union Democrats narrowly voted to support McIver instead of Armstead.