PAX BERGENA? DiGaetano, Cardinale Enter Into Non-Aggression Pact

Paul DiGaetano

It’s been years since there was a grand attempt at Bergen County GOP unity, Save Jerseyans.

Take #2?

On Monday afternoon, a joint letter was released by BCRO Chairman Paul DiGaetano and State Senate Gerald Cardinale (R-39) suggesting an end to open hostilities.

“In the past, we have worked alongside of one another in Trenton, and in BCRO, for decades. Today, we are committed to moving forward in a unified manner by supporting each other’s efforts to make BCRO strong again,” the Bergen politicians declared in their jointly-signed statement. “Bergen County is New Jersey’s largest county and we clearly see the benefit of having as many resident Republican State Senators as possible. We can all remember the good time when Bergen County Republicans had four resident Senators.”

The language was cozy but seemed to stop just short of a full-throated mutual endorsement.

Cardinale (L) and McCann (R)

Insiders interpret the letter as a non-aggression pact of sorts with the potential to turn into a full-on endorsement at some point.

For now? Today’s gesture likely means that Cardinale won’t work against DiGaetano at next week’s LD40 Bergen Convention (scheduled for this Thursday).

In LD40, DiGaetano is still battling Passaic County Clerk Kristin Corrado for the seat of retiring State Senate Kevin O’Toole (who’s headed to the Port Authority).

One shoe has already dropped. In LD39, former Councilman John McCann was challenging long-time incumbent Gerry Cardinale for his State Senate seat until he reportedly abandoned that effort earlier today following a sit-down with district leadership.

You can click here to view the full letter.

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