FORMER ASSEMBLY MAJORITY LEADER TOUTS PASSAIC SUPPORT IN JOINED BATTLE WITH CLERK KRISTIN CORRADO
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FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. — Paul DiGaetano is a candidate for State Senate this year, Save Jerseyans, thrusting the first-year Bergen GOP Chairman into what stands to be a raucous intra-party LD40 primary.
He’s joining the fray with support from across county lines.
“I appreciate the support of the Passaic County Republican Leadership,” said DiGaetano (R-Franklin Lakes) in a statement obtained by Save Jersey, announcing the support of Passaic GOP Chairman John Traier. “I look forward to representing the communities in all four counties in my district.”
The former Assembly Leader also shared his major objectively conservative policy goals including sponsoring constitutional amendments to cap state spending, require a referendum for any state tax increases, ending affordable housing mandates and eliminating N.J. Supreme Court lifetime tenure.
“New Jersey is already the most populated state in the United States. Our municipalities are being forced to continue to carry the burden of a failed housing policy, from which utopian court rulings are making our suburbs urbanized,” DiGaetano explained in the wake of a recent N.J. Supreme Court affordable housing decision which could bring thousands of new units to his county alone. “Our suburbs are being saddled with the obligations of cities with no access to infrastructure, mass transit or adequate roadways. It’s absurd.”
DiGaetano further pledged to continue serving as Chairman of the Bergen County Republican Organization.
The Chairman is no stranger to Trenton, and the news was expected by BCRO watchers.
DiGaetano’s political career started on Passaic City Council in 1981 and culminated as the Assembly’s GOP leader from 1996 to 2003.
He’s now seeking to succeed long-time intra-party rival Kevin O’Toole who isn’t seeking reelection this year.
The Chairman did not back former Wyckoff Mayor Kevin Rooney or Rooney’s slate in his recent successful committee election to replace retired Assemblyman Scott Rumana who joined the state judiciary; Rooney will now run with Passaic County Clerk Kristin Corrado (for Senate) and fellow former Wyckoff Mayor Christopher DePhillips (for Assembly) in a re-match of sorts with DiGaetano this June.
Also in the mix? Former State Senator Norm Robertson who’s seeking an LD40 Assembly nomination.
Four-county strong LD40 is a lean-red district and includes (1) the Bergen County municipalities of Allendale, Franklin Lakes, Ho-Ho-Kus, Midland Park, Ridgewood, Waldwick, and Wyckoff, (2) the Morris County municipalities of Riverdale and Pequannock Township, (3) the Passaic County municipalities of Little Falls, Pompton Lakes, Totowa, Wayne, and Woodland Park, and (4) the sole Essex County township of Cedar Grove.
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