HACKENSACK, N.J. — One of North Jersey’s enduring political alliances came to an official and crashing end on Monday when Bergen County Democrat Sheriff Mike Saudino threw his support behind incumbent Democrat Josh Gottheimer in the NJ-05 Congressional race.
A Democrat endorsing a Democrat isn’t typically significant news, but Saudino (a turncoat Republican) and the Republican nominee have a long history. The pair were political allies for years, and McCann served as both Saudino’s key adviser and formal legal counsel.
“Unfortunately, he is doing what he has to do to survive, placing partisan politics above friendship. Eight other New Jersey sheriffs have endorsed me and have recognized these four points,” said McCann in a statement released in reaction to Saudino’s endorsement announcement.
McCann also claimed ownership of most of Saudino’s key accomplishments.
“I was directly responsible for saving over $1 million in healthcare savings in the jail,” said McCann, adding “[i]t was my initiative, and upon my recommendation that the Sheriff’s department adopted the policy to use body cameras as the first in the state. Myself and members of the team spent thousands of hours merging the Sheriff and County police departments. A policy that Josh Gottheimer opposed in January of this year. I modernized the medical leave policy, saving tens of thousands of dollars of overtime hours.”
“By endorsing a democrat in this national election, Saudino wants to put the gavel back in the hands of Nancy Pelosi and liberal democrats.”
–
