Newark Council President Payne Jr and Jersey City Councilman Fulop Endorse Each Other for Congress, Mayor, Respectively

By • May 1st, 2012 • Category: Blog, News, Politics
LinkedInDeliciousDiggRedditStumbleUponPrintFriendlyShare

Newark City Council President Donald Payne Jr. and Ward E Councilman Steve Fulop have announced that they are co-endorsing each other for their respective upcoming campaigns. Payne Jr., the son of the late Donald Payne Sr. and former 10th Congressional District representative, will be running to fill the seat vacated by his father in the election this year, while Fulop will be challenging Mayor Jerramiah Healy (and as yet undeclared candidates) for Jersey City’s mayoral race in 2013.

The two have pledged to unite and work together towards what they’re calling “a new era in Hudson County politics.”

“I am proud to stand with the Payne family, which has a track record of accomplishment for Jersey City and in congress,” Fulop said in a statement. “Last year we won the majority of the county committee seats in Jersey City, against the organization off the party line, and we fully intend on leveraging that infrastructure for Donald Payne Jr. this year.”

He continued, “We are going to go at this strong for Council President Payne, and we will help him win. I am excited about this partnership, not just for now but for years into the future, as I know Donald will continue the strong legacy of his father.”

Fulop’s endorsements have been the winning ticket for the last three consecutive School Board elections in Jersey City. Similarly, his team won the majority of county committee seats last year in Jersey City, which included ousting the previous chairman.

Donald Payne Jr. added in the statement, “Steven Fulop has been a strong and independent voice for Jersey City. I am excited about endorsing him and working as a partner with him, as I believe he is the next Mayor of Jersey City. It is refreshing when people get involved in politics for the right reason, serving our community. I am looking forward to campaigning alongside Steven’s campaign for mayor as the Congressman from the 10th district.”

Donald Payne Jr. has the Democratic Party line in Essex County. The election is on June 5, 2012.



Like what you've read here? Please consider making a donation or becoming a sustaining member. As a grassroots news organization, we rely on community support -- as well as paid advertising -- to survive.

is a staff writer for the Jersey City Independent.
Email this author | All posts by

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/4U73DQ2RXZFFRGVKX2XPMUWHUU owen

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejb60m3MC2E&feature=g-upl

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx2XC3VJuoU&feature=relmfu

    State senators and assemblymen who have worked with both Ron
    C. Rice and Nia Gill have endorsed Rice for Congress. The members of the Newark
    Municipal Council who work closely with their colleagues, Ron Rice and Donald
    Payne Jr., and presumably know them best, have come out in support of Rice’s
    congressional bid over that of Payne’s. Now the Star Ledger, NJ’s largest
    newspaper, which has vetted the candidates via editorial board interviews and
    regular coverage of their legislative efforts, has added its name to the list
    of Rice endorsers.

    Here is a link to their
    story:
    http://blog.nj.com/njv_editorial_page/2012/05/endorsement_ronald_c_rice_the.html

     

    The endorsement, featuring the headline: “Ronald C.
    Rice the best pick for Donald Payne Sr.’s Congressional seat,” described
    Rice as having, “the sharpest take
    on federal policy. And he at least has some responsible suggestions on how to
    reduce the national debt.”

     

    The article cited Payne Jr. as being, “woefully
    unprepared” for the job and stated that, “the dispiriting truth is
    that his claim to the seat is based entirely on his last name,” and that
    he “is simply not ready for the job, and
    hasn’t done his homework.” The paper pointed out that, “Congress
    isn’t a dynasty, and a legislative seat is about so much more than legacy.
    Don’t pick your candidate based on a name.”

     

    While the newspaper noted Gill’s legislative acumen, it
    said, “she is not an effective coalition-builder in Trenton and her
    influence is limited.” Conversely, the editorial acknowledged Rice as,
    “a smart, energetic and effective councilman in Newark, known for working
    long hours and building bridges.”

     

    “I obviously think I am the right person for the job.
    If I didn’t think I was the best candidate I wouldn’t run. I am grateful that
    the state’s largest newspaper recognizes it as well, but the most important
    endorsement will come from the voters on June 5th,” Rice said. “I
    know that I will be an effective representative for the people of the Tenth
    District. One thing is certain, there will be no one in Washington or New
    Jersey who will outwork me.”

     

    Rice said that he believes that when face-to-face with the
    other candidates, he is the clear choice. Victory will be his, and the
    district’s, he points out, if voters do as the Ledger editorial board suggests
    and “Pick the best one based on merit:
    That’s Ron Rice Jr.”