Kearny is one of five Hudson municipalities that hold partisan elections, and the last to elect a Republican mayor in a general election; Leo Vartan won in 1993 and 1995.
Now Republicans, perhaps unrealistically, think they can win it back in a special election this November 2023 special election necessitated by the resignation of nine-term mayor Al Santos to become a Superior Court judge.
Their candidate, Sydney Ferreira, was picked this month to take on interim Mayor Peter Santana in a November special election to fill the remaining 25 months of Santos’ term. Santana became mayor in July, the first new mayor in 24 years, but his selection left some fissures within the local Democratic organization.
The race could take a significant turn if Council President Carol Jean Doyle, a Democrat, decides to run for mayor as an independent. The filing deadline is August 24.
Ferreira is the Republican candidate for State Assembly in the 31st district; Kearny shifted from the 32nd district to the 31st after legislative redistricting. He will remain on the ballot and run for both offices.
He challenged Santos in the 2021 Democratic mayoral primary and won 25% before switching parties.
“Kearny holds a special place in my heart, and I am dedicated to bringing forth the change Kearny deserves,” Ferriera said.
One other twist: the Republican candidate for Hudson County Commissioner in the Kearny district is George Santos, who is not related to the former mayor.
Kearny Republicans have not fielded a mayoral candidate since 2009.
Republican Jack Ciattarelli held Gov. Phil Murphy to a 730-vote, 55%-44% margin in Kearny two years ago. In 2019, Assemblyman Pedro Mejia (D-Secaucus) ran 550 votes ahead of the top GOP vote-getter.
“The circumstances around this November’s election provide a wonderful opportunity for Republicans in Kearny. While there is deep left-wing division in the town, our Republican Party stands strong and united,” said Hudson County GOP Chairman Jose Arango. “Sydney’s unique background as the son of Portuguese immigrants exemplifies the American Dream, embodying the values of hard work, determination, and unity.”
After one year as a councilman, Santos was elected in 1999, at age 33, defeating incumbent Peter McIntyre and Councilman Ed Callaghan in the primary. He defeated Republican John Leadbeater, a councilman, by 1,211 votes, 55%-36%, with the rest of the votes going to independent John Campbell.
Santos was re-elected in 2001, with 77% of the vote against Republican Harold Delaney, and was unopposed in 2003. Kearny switched to four-year mayoral terms in 2005, and since then, Santos has had just one opposed general election: he won a 2009 rematch against Leadbeater by 1,055 votes, 58%-42%.
The last Republican mayor in Hudson County was Bret Schundler, who won non-partisan elections in Jersey City in 1992, 1993, and 1997. In a non-partisan contest in May, Republican Marcos Arroyo was elected West New York commissioner on a slate with Mayor Albio Sires.
This story was updated at 12:14 PM and 12:58 PM.
RELATED ARTICLES
-
March 23, 2018 -
June 13, 2022 -
January 13, 2020