Hudson Democratic organization holds on in two close commissioner primaries

The Hudson Democratic organization has officially won every contested primary this year, with two county commissioners prevailing over their off-the-line progressive challengers by smaller-than-expected margins, the New Jersey Globe projects.

In the Hoboken-based 5th district, Commissioner Anthony “Stick” Romano (D-Hoboken) – currently the commission chairman – leads Ron Bautista 54%-46%. For a short while, Bautista actually had a few dozen more votes than Romano, but his lead disappeared as more votes were counted.

Next door in the 4th district, Commissioner Yraida Aponte-Lipski (D-Jersey City) has a 55%-45% advantage against Mamta Singh.

Bautista and Singh were part of the larger Progressive Democrats of Hudson County slate, which also contested the 31st legislative district, the county executive’s office, and four other county commissioner seats. None of those other challenges came close to succeeding, which means that Assemblywoman Angela McKnight (D-Jersey City) is set to soon join the State Senate and Craig Guy will succeed his longtime boss Tom DeGise as Hudson County Executive.