Union County Democrats dump Freeholder

Union County Democrats are expected to replace two incumbent freeholders from the organization line when the party screening committee meets on Wednesday night.

Freeholders Bruce Bergen (D-Springfield) and Mohamed Jalloh (D-Union) are out; Bergen is stepping down and Jalloh has lost party support for re-election.  They will be replaced by former Roselle Councilwoman Andrea Staten and Kim Palmieri-Mouded of Westfield.

Jalloh backed Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr for county chairman in her unsuccessful race against State Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Linden).  Bergen endorsed Scutari.

Straten, an ally of Assemblyman Jamal Holley (D-Roselle) has been a councilwoman since 2014.  She works as a real estate appraiser.  Palmieri-Mouded, a former Associate Dean for Student Life at St. John’s University, lost a bid for Westfield Township Council in 2015.

Both supported Scutari for county chairman.

Scutari told party leaders that Bergen has decided to step down to focus on his law practice.

Incumbent Alexander Mirabella (D-Roselle Park) will have party support for his re-election bid.