Stellato headed to Sports Authority, Alonso likely replacement

One of Gov. Phil Murphy’s top aides is preparing to leave the administration and run for Bergen County Democratic Chairman as part of a deal that will send Louis Stellato to the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, according to sources who spoke on the condition on anonymity.

Adam Alonso, 32, plans to return to his political consulting and government affairs business.  The resignation of a senior aide during the first 100 days of an administration is very rare, although his move could help give Murphy greater control of the county Democratic organization.

As  Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, Alonso manages Murphy’s public engagement, intergovernmental, and constituent relations divisions, as well as the Office of Appointments.

Bergen County Democratic bylaws require a special election within 30 days of the vacancy.  An endorsement from Stellato  would help Alonso secure enough votes to win, sources say.  No other candidates have emerged, although Todd Sherer, a former Paramus councilman who is now the District 39 Democratic Chairman, is a possible candidate for the post.

Stellato, a former Lyndhurst mayor, has been county chairman since 2011.  Under his leadership, Bergen Democrats have picked up the county executive post, the county clerk, secured a party switch of the sheriff, and have a 7-0 lock on the Board of Freeholders.  He also helped transform the once-competitive 38th district into safe seats for the Democrats and played a role in Josh Gottheimer’s defeat of seven-term Republican Rep. Scott Garrett in 2016.  Bergen delivered a plurality of nearly 35,000 votes to Phil Murphy last year.