In July, a significant group of Hudson County Democrats said they were ready to support Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly) for governor if he ran.
But now, four months later – and just days after the North Jersey congressman announced his candidacy – no endorsements are forthcoming, and there are signs that those Democrats might head in a different direction.
The announcement that County Executive Craig Guy, Union City Mayor/State Sen. Brian P. Stack, Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis, West New York Mayor Albio Sires, and Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner viewed Gottheimer as their top choice was viewed as a problem for Hudson County’s favorite-son candidate, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop.
Guy, who is also the Hudson County Democratic Chairman, will attend a reception for another candidate, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair), at the New Jersey League of Municipalities convention in Atlantic City this evening. And Guy will not attend Gottheimer’s breakfast tomorrow morning.
For now, the Hudson coalition is in a holding pattern, and no endorsements are expected anytime soon. Still, it appears that Gottheimer’s support from the Hudson group is in trouble.
“It’s a long way to filing day,” Guy told the New Jersey Globe.
Guy is also expected to be ar events in Atlantic City with two other candidates: former Senate President Steve Sweeney and New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller. But if the group pivots off of Gottheimer, sources with direct knowledge of the Hudson coalition’s plan say the beneficiary would be Sherrill.
Gottheimer’s top strategist, Michael Soliman, said the Hudson group’s possible defection would not change the campaign plan.
“Josh will continue doing what he’s always been doing, which is going to the voters,” Soliman said.
The split between Guy and Fulop came days after the county chairman election when he spurned Fulop’s request for an endorsement. Fulop responded with a public statement that four Democratic members of the Hudson County Democratic Assembly delegation, along with Sheriff Frank Schillari, would turn down the organization slogan and run with him.