State Troopers’ union backs five state legislators with primary challenges, Guy for county executive

The State Troopers’ Fraternal Association of New Jersey has endorsed five Central Jersey lawmakers facing Democratic primary challengers and Craig Guy for Hudson County Executive.

The incumbents –  State Sens. Joseph Cryan (D-Union),  Joseph Vitale (D-Woodbridge), and Patrick Diegnan (D-South Plainfield), Assembly Majority Conference Chair Annette Quijano (D-Elizabeth), and Assemblyman Reginald Atkins (D-Roselle).  The five legislators face nominal challenges in the June 6 Democratic primary.

The Troopers’ union is not taking sides in other closely-watched primaries involving incumbents, including State Sens. Edward Durr (R-Logan) and Joseph Pennacchio (R-Montville), and in the 27th district, where two veteran Democrats, Richard Codey (D-Roseland) and Nia Gill (D-Montclair), face each other after legislative redistricting put the two in the same district.   The union is also staying out of primaries where Assemblyman John McKeon (D-West Orange) and Cleopatra Tucker (D-Newark) have contested primaries.

Wayne Blanchard, the union president, praised Guy, a former Jersey City police officer, as “ a model for all of those who serve in public office.”

“The dedicated, eclectic, and exemplary career in your twenty-five years of service with the Jersey City Police Department serves (as) a solid foundation for a seamless transition to the role of county executive,” Blanchard said in a letter to Guy. ”The commitment you especially displayed to the community in Jersey City in engaging with community groups and civic leaders to foster better police-community relationships is of the utmost importance in this era of policing and is a tremendous asset that you bring to the table”

Guy pledged to “always be a strong supporter of law enforcement both here in Hudson County and throughout the state.”

“From the local level to the State Police, officers need to know that their elected officials are standing with them and working to make sure they have the training, equipment and staffing necessary to keep us all safe,” he said.  “As County Executive, I will prioritize public safety and work to continue building trust between the police and the community.”