Judge sticks to his guns in North Arlington

A Superior Court Judge ruled today that North Arlington Republicans can switch their candidates for mayor despite allegations that a vote to name a new candidate was never taken.

Judge Robert Wilson declined to accept an affidavit by the party vice chair, Barbara Kaiser, saying that the Republican County Committee never met to pick a candidate to replace Mayor Joseph Bianchi, who died last Wednesday after some vote-by-mail ballots were already returned.  Wilson essentially reaffirmed his own ruling from last week.

Bergen County Clerk John Hogan is expected to appeal the decision.

The Democratic candidate, Councilman Mark Yampaglia, temporarily suspended his campaign last week following Bianchi’s death.  He declined comment on Wilson’s ruling until after the appeal.

“Clearly, this situation has been disturbing, disruptive and confusing to the democratic process and once this has been all sorted out, we will move forward,” Yampaglia said.  “We are clearly in unchartered waters and my concern is with the voters and hopefully there will be an appropriate and speedy resolution.”

Editor’s note: This story was updated with comment from Yampaglia.