Hispanic group endorses Sayegh

A Paterson Hispanic organization announced it was throwing its weight behind city councilman Andre Sayegh in the city’s upcoming mayoral race.

Hispanos Unidos con Sayegh (The Hispanic Committee for Sayegh), a 300-member organization, said it was organizing voters across the city in support of Sayegh, who has represented the city’s sixth ward since 2008.

“The support of Hispanos Unidos Con Sayegh has been a driving force of my campaign, and we would not have come this far without them,” Sayegh said in a press release announcing the organization’s endorsement. “I am incredibly grateful for their support and hard work, and I look forward to working with them to build a safer and prosperous city for all of our residents.”

With the election coming in less than five weeks, the endorsement may prove to be a boon to Sayegh in a city where 57.6 percent of the population is Hispanic or Latino, per Census figures.

Sayegh is one of four sitting council members running for mayor in the city. He’s joined by Alex Mendez, Michael Jackson and William McKoy. Jackson and McKoy represent the city’s first and third wards, respectively, while Mendez serves as councilman at-large.

Police union president Alex Cruz and school board member Pedro Rodriguez are also vying for the mayoral seat.