HACKENSACK, NJ – The Bergen County GOP’s curious decision to embrace its turncoat former Sheriff Mike Saudino – forced to resign for bigoted statements after his defection to the Democrat Party – drew a major backlash on Thursday from the county’s legislators and candidates.
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Assembly members Robert Auth, Holly Schepisi, Christopher DePhillips, and Kevin Rooney were joined by LD3 candidates Michael Kazmir and Christopher DiPiazza as well as Freeholder candidates Corrado Belgiovine, Alyssa Dawson, and Kathleen Cericola in a strongly-worded join statement:
“Former Sheriff Saudino has no place as an active participant in our party. We are united in condemnation of his hateful speech and pledge to refuse financial support of any kind from Mr. Saudino. As legislators and candidates we will continue to move our party forward in a positive and inclusive manner. Let us be clear, unlike our Democratic counterparts who remained silent against their fellow Democrat last September when this first came to light, we have and will continue to denounce all hatred, racism, sexism, bigotry and homophobia regardless of party affiliation.”
Saudino’s return to the party remains suspect; Save Jersey was first to report on Wednesday that the former sheriff donated $2,500 to the Morris County Democrat candidate for sheriff through his old campaign account.
Bergen Republican Chairman Jack Zisa defended the reconciliation.
“The decision by former Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino to register as a Republican was his personal decision and his alone. The BCRO did not play a role in that decision,” Zisa told New Jersey Globe. “Mike is free to choose his own political affiliation; he came to the Republicans, because, as many people know, he has strong disagreements with Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and his administration over how they approach law enforcement and particularly how they address the issue of illegal aliens and their impact on the community.”
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