Fulop trying to keep people out of Hudson Dem fundraiser

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop is urging supporters to boycott the Hudson County Democratic Organization fundraiser tomorrow night, according to sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Fulop, the sources say, has asked Democratic Municipal Chair Barbara McCann Stamato to let county committee members and city employees know they should stay away.

Hudson Democrats had been fractured over the past few months after Fulop led a bid to oust Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise next year.  The result of the short-lived warette was the election of DeGise’s daughter, Amy, as Hudson County Democratic chair over Fulop’s pick, Union City Mayor/State Sen. Brian Stack.  Stack lost because of Fulop’s inability to deliver his own county committee.

Party leaders have largely unified the county organization, with Stack and Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla making peace with DeGise.

While Fulop had not been invited to join the peace treaty, he was invited to attend the fundraiser tomorrow and welcome the Democrats to his city.  He turned them down, sources say.

“Why should I raise money against myself,” Fulop reportedly told one county Democratic leader, leading to speculation that he might still recruit a candidate to challenge DeGise in the 2019 primary, and might run candidates for the State Assembly in the 31st district.

One possible Assembly candidate against incumbent Nicholas Chiaravallotti (D-Bayonne) next year is John Minella, a former executive director of the Hudson County Democratic organization.  Sources say that Fulop has hired Minella as a part-time aide to replace Mark Albiez, who departed in August.

Fulop did not immediately respond to a 5:12 PM Twitter direct message seeking comment.  If he does respond, his statement will be added to this story.