Sebold retires after 50 years as Livingston Democratic chair; Vieira elected to succeed her

For the first time since Gerald Ford was president, Livingston has a new Democratic municipal chair, with Councilman Michael Vieira elected at the party’s reorganization meeting tonight.

Vieira replaces Pat Sebold, who has led the local Democratic organization for 50 years.  She retired from the post she’s held since 1976 when John B. Duff resigned to become the president of the University of Massachusetts – Lowell.

She was instead elected chair emeritus.

Assemblywoman Rosy Bagolie (D-Livingston) was elected to succeed Vieira as vice chair. Stacey Abenstein, a Democratic state committeewoman and a winner of the June 2 primary for a township council seat, is the new 2nd vice chair.

“For fifty years, Pat Sebold dedicated herself to building and sustaining this committee. That level of commitment is remarkable and deserves recognition and appreciation,” said Vieira. “I will not walk in Pat’s shoes — they are simply too big. But what I will do is continue walking on the paths she helped carve for all of us and continue building upon the foundation she created.”

Former Mayor Rudy Fernandez was re-elected treasurer, and Robert Lipshitz will again serve as secretary.

Viera acknowledged that Democrats are just coming off a series of hotly contested primaries.

“Primaries can sometimes leave us tired, disappointed, or divided — but tonight is not about reliving the past. Tonight is about moving forward together and moving forward as a united Livingston Democratic Committee team,” he said.

“Healthy debate can make us stronger, but our success has always come when we come together around our shared Democratic values, support one another, and focus on what is best for Livingston,” said Vieira.  “When we are divided, we limit what we can accomplish. When we are united, Livingston Democrats succeed.”

Sebold is also stepping down as an Essex County Commissioner at the end of the year.  She did not seek re-election to an 11th term in office.   Sebold set the record for the most votes ever received by a county commissioner when she was re-elected in 2020 – and ranks third as the all-time highest vote-getter of any county commissioner in New Jersey history.

She was appointed in 1993 after Freeholder Linda Lordi Cavanaugh resigned to serve as executive director of the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority.  She won a hotly contested Democratic primary that year on a slate that included now-County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo.  One of the unsuccessful candidates in that race was Sheila Oliver, who became Assembly Speaker and the Lt Governor of New Jersey.

Sebold’s first political victory came in 1970, when Sebold mounted an off-the-line run for the Livingston Democratic County Committee.  Under the “Concerned Democrat” slogan, she besieged the organization candidate, Rose Vallella, with 74% of the vote, 166 to 58.

Two years later, Sebold’s late husband, Burton, joined her on the Democratic ticket and became her longtime running mate.

“We reside in a town that strongly supports Democratic values, and Pat and Burt Sebold played an important role in helping build and strengthen that foundation over five decades,” said Vieira.  “Beginning tonight, there is one Committee and one goal — to continue Pat’s legacy and build a stronger Livingston Democratic Committee in service to our community and everyone who calls Livingston home.”

Vieira called Livingston “one of the most diverse communities in Essex County.

“Our Livingston Democratic Committee should continue to reflect the people we represent — bringing together different backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and ideas. When everyone feels welcomed and represented, we all win,” he said.

Also in 1972, Sebold became involved in George McGovern’s bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.  While an organization slate of candidates opposed to McGovern and still pushing to nominate Hubert Humphrey won 14 of 15 Essex County delegate slots, Livingston went 2-1 for McGovern.

With Sebold playing an active role, Democrats won control of three seats on the Livingston Township Council in November 1974 and have held majority control for 42 of the last 44 years.  The council has been all-Democratic since 2014.

Her political influence increased exponentially when she played a major role in electing the first Essex County Executive.  Sebold backed 26-year-old Assemblyman Peter Shapiro (D-South Orange), who carried all 21 of Livingston’s voting districts with a 70%-24% win against the candidate backed by the Essex County Democratic organization, Sheriff John Cryan.  Livingston delivered Shapiro a 1,245-vote plurality.  Shapiro beat Cryan in the Democratic primary by just 2,147 votes countywide.

The retired West Orange High School English teacher – she taught Arizona U.S. Senator Mark Kelly — has served as a delegate to several Democratic National Conventions, including 1980 when she ran on a slate pledged to Edward M. Kennedy in his bid to unseat Jimmy Carter in the primary election.  She also served on the Essex County Board of Elections and the Essex County Vocational and Technical Board of Education.