Carlos Rendo joins Assembly race in 39th district

Woodcliff Lake Mayor Carlos Rendo, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor in 2017, told the New Jersey Globe that he will run for State Assembly in the 39th district GOP primary.

Rendo will seek the endorsement of the Bergen County Republican organization in a race that includes two incumbents – Bob Auth (R-Old Tappan) and John Azzariti, Jr. (R-Saddle River) – and three other challengers: investment banker and former congressional candidate Frank Pallotta, Saddle River Councilman Jon Kurpis and Mahwah Councilman Ward Donigian.

“As Republicans, it is imperative that we put forth the strongest ticket possible to represent the residents of the 39th district,” Rendo said. “I will bring a strong set of credentials and experience to the legislative ticket.”

He touted his three victories in the Woodcliff Lake mayoral race, where Democrats outnumber Republicans.

“This shows I have strong cross-over appeal, and I win,” said Rendo.

In 2017, Kim Guadagno, then the lieutenant governor and the GOP gubernatorial nominee, picked Rendo as her running mate.  The Guadagno-Rendo team won the 39th by three percentage points.  Two years later, Gov. Phil Murphy headlined a fundraiser for Woodcliff Lake Democrats.

Born in Cuba, Rendo came to the United States at age two as his family fled the Fidel Castro regime.  He’s an immigration attorney who grew up in Union City and began his political career as a Republican candidate for Hudson County freeholder in 1993.

He moved to Woodcliff Lake seven years later and won a borough council seat in 2013.

The 39th has been on the Democratic radar screen for several cycles, but Republicans have a 46-year winning streak in the Bergen County district.

Donald Trump carried the 39th by two points last year; Joe Biden won it by six points in 2020.  In the 2021 governor’s race, Republican Jack Ciattarelli won the district by seven points; State Sen. Holly Schepisi (R-River Vale) was re-elected by a ten-point margin in 2023.