Johnson wins endorsements from Bogota Democratic leaders

Bogota Democrats moved heavily into the Gordon Johnson for State Senate column on Friday, with endorsements from the Democratic Municipal Chair Michelle Rupar, four borough council members, and a total of 9 of the 11 current county committee members.

“In a nutshell, Gordon is there for his constituents,” twelve local Democratic officials said in a statement.  “We can think of no better quality for the next State Senator from district 37.

Johnson faces his Assembly colleague, Valerie Vainieri Huttle, for party support to succeed Loretta Weinberg in the upper house.

Weinberg announced last week that she would not seek re-election.

In addition to Rupar, Council President Consuelo Carpenter, Councilwomen Mary Ellen Murphy and Jo Ellen Granquist, and Councilman Robert Robbins are on the statement.  So are Demcoratic Municipal Vice Chair Joseph Shuler and county committee members Diane Culmone, Robert Ferro, Lucia Estevez, Nelson Estevez, Lisa Kohles and Arthur Konigsberg.

Carpenter is also a county committeewoman.

“Gordon Johnson has been a presence in Bogota since his election to the Assembly in 2002. Whether at our Memorial Day services, local democratic events, or Bogota Day, he is in our community, listening to our concerns and advocating for us,” the Bogota Democrats said.  “He always answers our calls and is quick to help out in any way he can.”

The local Democrats praised Weinberg and thanked her for her “strong advocacy on behalf of Bogota and the State of New Jersey.”

Weinberg has indicated her intention to stay out of the race.  Rupar is one of her top aides.

Johnson and Vainieri Huttle announced their Senate bids the day Weinberg announced her retirement.

Since then, Johnson has picked up key local endorsements in Englewood, Hackensack, Fort Lee, Palisades Park, Leonia, Cresskill and Tenafly.

Vainieri Huttle has won the backing of the Englewood Democratic Municipal Chair, Phil Meisner, and top Democratic progressive leaders and activists from across the state.