District 37 Democratic leaders endorse Gordon Johnson

The officers of the District 37 Democratic Committee in Bergen County endorsed Gordon Johnson for the State Senate seat over Valerie Vainieri Huttle.

“We would be lucky to have either of the two capable and dedicated public servants represent us in the State Senate,” the Democratic leaders — Chairman John Bang, Vice Chair Zonie LeSane, Treasurer John M. Hogan and Secretary Kenneth Martin — said in a statement released early Wednesday morning.  “Both candidates are excellent public servants, and we could fill many pages praising them and their many accomplishments.”

The two State Assembly members are competing to succeed Loretta Weinberg, the Senate Majority Leader who announced her retirement last week after nearly 29 years in the legislature.

“However only one can take the seat and while it is a difficult decision to have to choose -a choice should and must be made in order to avoid the potential of a painful and disruptive primary,” the DIstrict 37 leadership team said.  “Gordon Johnson not only holds a higher position within the Assembly, but he also has four more years of experience. We feel that Assemblyman Gordon Johnson is better situated to succeed Senator Weinberg.”

Johnson has won endorsements from Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes, Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich, Palisades Park Mayor Christopher Chung, longtime Hackensack Democratic Municipal Chair Lynne Hurwitz, and Democratic leaders in Northvale and Cresskill.

Englewood Democratic Municipal Chair Meisner Phil Meisner has endorsed Vainieri Huttle.