There’s little doubt that the Passaic County Democratic establishment has lined up behind the organization candidates for county commissioner and surrogate in the June 2 primary election.
County Commissioner Orlando Cruz and his running mate, Clifton Democratic Club President Nick Veliky – the other incumbent, Bruce James, is not seeking re-election – face a serious challenge from Ali Aljarrah, a senior advisor to CAIR Action NJ, the political arm of the Council for American Islamic Relations.
Two Arab- American mayors in Passaic County — Andre Sayegh of Paterson and Mohamed Khairullah of Prospect Park–– are backing Cruz and Veliky, and Surrogate Zoila Casanova. So are five other Democratic mayors: John D’Amato, Bloomingdale; James Damiano, Little Falls; Michael Johnson, Haledon; Hector Lora, Passaic; and Tracy Kallert, Woodland Park.
“This is a team that listens, works hard, and understands the importance of partnership between local and county government,” Kallert said. “Nick Veliky, Orlando Cruz, and Zoila Cassanova are committed to moving Passaic County forward.”
Other officials backing Cruz, Veliky and Jenniffer Hagan, Dominic Catalano, John Graziano, David Bronkhurst, and Ray Yazdi, Bloomingdale; Joseph Kolodziej, Clifton; Aleksandra Tasic, Nereyda Curiel, Carlos Aymat, Carlos Moczo, Junior Morris, and Jim Iza, Haledon; Anthony Sgobba, Christopher Vancheri, and Christine Hablitz, Little Falls; Gary Schaer and Thania Melo, Passaic; Felicia Ortiz, Robert Ardis, Zack Daghstani, Mohammed Hussain, and Niaz Nadim, Prospect Park; Vincent DeCesare, Tina Gatti, Louis Torres, Michael Sica, Adam Cahaabane, and Edwin Figueroa, Woodland Park.
“Nick Veliky, Orlando Cruz, and Zoila Cassanova understand the challenges facing our residents because they work in our communities every day,” said Currie. “They are focused on affordability, supporting families and seniors, and making sure county government delivers for them.”