Union City Mayor/State Sen. Brian P. Stack dropped a not-so-subtle signal about his preference for governor in next year’s Democratic primary, shining a spotlight on Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff) at his fundraiser last night.
Stack called Gottheimer up to speak at his Union City First event, which was attended by over 2,600 of his supporters.
Another potential candidate, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair), was in attendance earlier in the evening but was not scheduled to speak. She had left before the program began.
In a short telephone interview, Stack called Gottheimer “a close friend” and acknowledged that he views the four-term congressman as a strong statewide candidate but said he was not ready to make an endorsement right now.
“I’m keeping my options open,” Stack told the New Jersey Globe.
City Mayor Steve Fulop and former Senate President Steve Sweeney, both announced candidates for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, were not at the Stack event.
The Union City mayor and Senate Judiciary Committee chairman is a key player in Hudson County politics. He can deliver gargantuan turnout numbers in Union City, with growing support in West New York and North Bergen.
Stack said his PAC fundraiser included many complimentary tickets to constituents from the 33rd district. He said valet parking attendants recorded 970 cars and noted that he dispatched several buses to bring constituents to his event.