Hackensack Mayor John Labrosse lost is for bid for re-election to a fourth term, with a slate backed by the city’s Democratic leader, Lynn Hurwitz, flipping five council seats in Bergen County’s largest city by a wide margin.
The “Hackensack Unites” slate, which included Caseen Gaines, Philip Carroll, Agatha Toomey, Roberto Diaz, and Sonya Clark-Collins, will take office on July 1.
Gaines, the top vote-getter on the winning slate, is considered the leading candidate to become the next mayor. A public school teacher active in his local union, Gaines helped the New Jersey Attorney General’s office in their report aimed at combating bias and hate crimes among students.
In addition to Labrosse, Deputy Mayor Kathy Canestrino lost her bid for re-election; so did their running mates: Lance Powell, Marlene Somerville, and Richard Garcia.
Gaines received 2,728 votes, followed by Toomey (2,715), Carroll (2,692), Clark-Collins (2,691), and Diaz (2,715). Labrosse, who finished sixth, received 1,574, followed by Canestrino (1,502), Powell (1,499), Somerville (1,491), and Garcia (1,480).
The election results may render a challenge to Somerville’s residency moot; she is due in court later this month after signing mortgage papers indicating that East Orange was her primary residence.
In addition to Hurwitz, Bergen County Democratic Chairman Paul Juliano and State Sen. Gordon Johnson (D-Englewood backed the anti-Labrosse slate.
“While the results of this election did not go the way we hoped, we are incredibly proud of the progress our community has made over the past 12 years and know that Hackensack will have a bright future,” the Labrosse team said in a statement. “We congratulate the Hackensack Unites team and wish them well. We are all invested in the success of our community and want only the best for our city, and we will do whatever we can to ensure a smooth transition.”
In a victory statement, the Hackensack Unites slate said that “voters made a clear statement – residents come first.”
“Throughout this campaign, door after door, we heard a common vision for our City. Residents want luxury apartment developers to pay their fair share towards our schools, public safety, roads, parks, programs, and services,” the statement said. “We thank the Labrosse Team for their time and effort on behalf of our city over the past twelve years. We look forward to a productive transition that supports continuity of governance. Our team will be sharing more information about our transition in the coming days — and residents can rest assured that they will be at the forefront.”
The Labrosse ticket was reshuffled after incumbent Councilman Leo Battaglia faced calls to resign after he allegedly directed racist comments toward a high school soccer coach. Battaglia told the New Jersey Globe he would resign, but never appeared to do so. Councilwoman Stephanie Von Rudenborg did not seek re-election.
Labrosse was elected to the city council in 2009, and in 2013, he became the sole incumbent to run again. His reform slate knocked out a group backed by former Mayor Jack Zisa and Hurwitz.
The race wasn’t cheap: Labrosse Team has raised more than $188,000, and the challengers have raised more than $140,000, according to campaign finance disclosures.
RELATED ARTICLES
-
January 27, 2021 -
February 1, 2021 -
