Vainieri Huttle backs Fulop for governor

In an op-ed published in the Bergen Record this morning, former Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Englewood) gave her “wholehearted” support to Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop’s Democratic campaign for governor.

“Mayor Fulop is steering a distinctive gubernatorial campaign, directly engaging grassroots Democrats and presenting detailed policy solutions to address our state’s most critical issues,” Vainieri Huttle wrote. “He promotes participation and open government, recognizing that engaging citizens is not only crucial for a successful campaign but also for enhancing government functionality.”

The former assemblywoman is the fourth notable Bergen County elected official to endorse Fulop’s campaign; Fulop previously received the backing of Hackensack Mayor John Labrosse, Teaneck Mayor Michael Pagan, and Closter Councilwoman Jannie Chung.

Their endorsements set up a possible clash with the Bergen County Democratic organization, which is likely to support Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff)’s potential gubernatorial bid instead. But Vainieri Huttle said today that Bergen County’s diverse voter population shouldn’t be limited by who the “party bosses” select for governor.

“This upcoming gubernatorial election is a pivotal moment for the Bergen County Democrats,” she wrote in her op-ed. “Will we be a party that encourages discussion and dissent in the spirit of democracy, letting the strongest candidates emerge? Or will we succumb to machine politics, where decisions are made for us? I am steadfast in my belief that it will be the former, and Mayor Steven Fulop will play a crucial role in helping us reclaim our party’s foundational values.”

Vainieri Huttle is no stranger to sparring with the Bergen County Democratic machine. In 2021, after 16 years as an assemblywoman, she launched a bid for retiring State Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck)’s seat, and continued her campaign even after she lost the Bergen Democratic line; Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-Englewood), who had the party’s backing, defeated her 72%-28% in the Democratic primary.