Bayonne mayor mulling run for Hudson sheriff

Three-term Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis is considering a bid for the Democratic nomination for Hudson County Sheriff next year, potentially pitting him in a primary fight against five-term incumbent Frank X. Schillari, the New Jersey Globe has confirmed.

The 78-year-old Schillari is running on a slate with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Steve Fulop, which could leave the Hudson County Democratic Organization without a candidate.

A retired Bayonne police officer and former homicide detective in the Hudson County Prosecutor’s office, Davis has not made a final decision on running, and no official word is expected until early next year.

If he does run, he could have the support of Hudson County Executive Craig Guy, the Democratic county chairman, along with Union City Mayor/State Sen. Brian P. Stack and West New York Mayor Albio Sires. This is roughly the same block of Hudson Democrats that does not back Fulop, the three-term mayor of Jersey City, for governor; right now, they are supporting Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly), but they could wind up endorsing Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair).

Davis’ term expires on July 1, 2026. If he doesn’t run for sheriff, Davis hasn’t closed the door on running for a fourth term as mayor; but if Davis were to be elected sheriff, the city council president – right now, it’s Gary La Pelusa, Sr. – would serve the remaining six months of his term.

Schillari was elected in 2010 when Hudson County Democrats dumped incumbent Juan M. Perez from the organization line and endorsed him.  Perez switched parties and ran as a Republican, but lost to Schillari by 28,100 votes, 65%-32%.

The winner of the Democratic primary will almost assuredly win the general election; Hudson hasn’t elected a Republican sheriff since John Kaiser won in 1905.

Kaiser didn’t seek re-election to a second term in 1908, and his departure was rocky: in addition to his $10,000 annual salary, Kaiser was taking a fee of ten cents per day for feeding prisoners in the Hudson County Jail; the Democratic majority on the Board of Freeholders sued him.  A judge found he was not entitled to the fee and ordered him to return over $13,000 to the county.