Schundler Will Run for Mayor, Invade France
PolitcsNJ confirms that former Jersey City Mayor Brett Schundler will seek the mayor's office in next year's election. The May, non-partisan election is already eclipsing November's presidential election in Hudson County, and the result could dramatically change local politics.
Schundler, who also ran for Governor as a Republican, is rumored to be considering dropping the party. Even though the election is technically non-partisan, the Hudson County Democraticmachine Organization essentially controls the city's government. Jersey City's mayor is often head of the county party, influential in both Trenton as well as county level government. The mayor's seat is critical for control of patronage contracts and jobs.
Schundler ruled Jersey City for nearly 10 years before leaving the post to campaign full time as a Republican for Governor against Jim McGreevey. Schundler ultimately lost that race. His departure allowed Glenn Cunningham to come to power leading to infighting in the once powerful HCDO. Cunningham died of a heart attack just a tentative peace had been hammered out. In the power void that followed, many of Hudson County's respected politicians have fallen, risen, and fallen again, from Bayonne to Union City.
Schundler is working towards building a slate to challenge Healy and the Hudson County Democratic Organization. But the field is very crowded already. Healy will seek reelection, the party already running ads. But the HCDO may find trouble with Sandy Bolden-Cunningham, Glenn Cunningham's widow. She convinced the HCDO to back her for a state senate seat against perpetual mayoral candidate Lou Manzo, a long time Hudson County legislator. Now Sandy Bolden-Cunningham is about to bite the hand that feeds her and run for mayor herself.
Also contemplating a run for mayor is Steven Fulop, the ambitious downtown councilman who is anti-establishment. He found support from Glenn Cunningham while he was still alive, but Fulop backed Manzo rather than side with Cunningham's widow in the district 31 Senate race last year. If Fulop skips out on running for mayor and instead hope to hold his council seat, he'll find a challenge from his long time ally Shelly Skinner.
In short, the playing field is already crowded and Brett Schundler's entry only means things are about to get dirtier.
Schundler, who also ran for Governor as a Republican, is rumored to be considering dropping the party. Even though the election is technically non-partisan, the Hudson County Democratic
Schundler ruled Jersey City for nearly 10 years before leaving the post to campaign full time as a Republican for Governor against Jim McGreevey. Schundler ultimately lost that race. His departure allowed Glenn Cunningham to come to power leading to infighting in the once powerful HCDO. Cunningham died of a heart attack just a tentative peace had been hammered out. In the power void that followed, many of Hudson County's respected politicians have fallen, risen, and fallen again, from Bayonne to Union City.
Schundler is working towards building a slate to challenge Healy and the Hudson County Democratic Organization. But the field is very crowded already. Healy will seek reelection, the party already running ads. But the HCDO may find trouble with Sandy Bolden-Cunningham, Glenn Cunningham's widow. She convinced the HCDO to back her for a state senate seat against perpetual mayoral candidate Lou Manzo, a long time Hudson County legislator. Now Sandy Bolden-Cunningham is about to bite the hand that feeds her and run for mayor herself.
Also contemplating a run for mayor is Steven Fulop, the ambitious downtown councilman who is anti-establishment. He found support from Glenn Cunningham while he was still alive, but Fulop backed Manzo rather than side with Cunningham's widow in the district 31 Senate race last year. If Fulop skips out on running for mayor and instead hope to hold his council seat, he'll find a challenge from his long time ally Shelly Skinner.
In short, the playing field is already crowded and Brett Schundler's entry only means things are about to get dirtier.
Labels: Politics
posted by Reader at 3:23 PM
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