The New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association is taking sides in the contentious race for Hudson County Sheriff, backing three-term Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis in his bid to topple five-term Sheriff Frank X. Schillari in the Democratic primary.
“James M. Davis has spent his entire life serving the people of Hudson County — first as a decorated police captain, then as mayor of Bayonne. His deep understanding of public safety and unwavering commitment to protecting our communities make him the clear choice for Hudson County Sheriff,” said Eddie Donnelly, the FMBA president. ”I am proud to join the chorus of Davis supporters, a true public servant who stands with our first responders and will continue to lead with honor and integrity.”
Davis has the backing of Gov. Phil Murphy, Union City Mayor/State Sen. Brian P. Stack, West New York Mayor Albio Sires, PBA Local 7, the Police Superior Officers Association (PSOA), FMBA Local 11, and Fire Officers Local 211. Schillari has the support of Jersey City Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Steve Fulop and North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco.
The winner of the Democratic primary is highly likely to win the general election; Republicans haven’t won a sheriff’s race in Hudson County since John Kaiser flipped the seat in 1905. Hudson had a GOP sheriff as recently as 2010 when Democrats dumped incumbent Juan Perez and replaced him with Schillari. Perez switched parties and ran as a Republican; Schillari beat him by 26,905 votes, a 65%-32% margin. Perez has returned to the Democrats and is now a Bayonne councilman.
Perez defeated incumbent Sheriff Joseph Cassidy in the 2007 Democratic primary by 972 votes, 49.5% to 47.7% in a four-candidate race. Two years later, Cassidy ran for Jersey City councilman and lost badly.
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