Former Bergen County Democratic Chairman Louis Stellato is eyeing the top spot at New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.
“Yea, eventually. Like I said, it’s going to happen,” Stellato told the New Jersey Globe when asked if he was aiming to become chair of the authority. “I’ve got to get my toe in the water. My first meeting’s next week. I’m imagining that’s the governor’s call. The governor makes the appointment of the chairman in that particular commission.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee confirmed Stellato as a commissioner last month after delays caused by State Sen. Gerald Cardinale’s concerns over Stellato’s residency.
Murphy, who spoke highly of Stellato during an unrelated event in Cliffside Park that both attended Wednesday evening, last year appointed John Ballantyne, then a high-ranking official with the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters, to head the authority’s board.
Ballantyne was pushed out of his position with the international union following his confirmation to the board.
Murphy has not said he will deal him another blow by giving Stellato the chairmanship.
