Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise recently accepted early endorsements of Harrison Mayor James Fife, Kearny Mayor Al Santos, East Newark Mayor Joseph Smith, Freeholder Al Cifelli and several other local leaders in West Hudson.
These pledges of support come on the heels of the recent endorsements DeGise received from two North Hudson political leaders, State Sen./North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco and State Sen./Union City Mayor Brian Stack.
The West Hudson event was held at the Harrison Parking Center, which provides parking for the Red Bull Arena and commuters using the Harrison PATH station. The parking facility was developed by the Hudson County Improvement Authority, which, DeGise said, is playing a vital role in the area’s economic revitalization.
“I’m very honored and humbled to receive the endorsements of these mayors and local leaders here in West Hudson,” said DeGise, who is running for reelection in 2015. “My job as county executive is to help provide them the county resources they need and assist them in serving their communities.”
DeGise pointed to the site of the press conference, in the midst of the burgeoning Harrison Redevelopment Project, as a particular point of pride in his administration. Under his leadership, HCIA built the parking garage and helped finance the construction of the soccer stadium, which, he said, are anchors in the area’s rebirth.
“I couldn’t be prouder to lend my voice to saying we need Tom next year, and we in Harrison are 100% dedicated to keeping him in the job,” said Fife, who hosted the press conference.
“We are grateful for having the county executive on our team,” said East Newark Mayor Joseph Smith. “The help Tom has given us with our seniors has been nothing short of spectacular. He helped refurbish our senior center, helps with our lunch program and has always been there when we have needed him.”
“It’s an honor to be here endorsing Tom DeGise wholeheartedly. He’s the right person for the right office and the important redevelopment project we are standing in that could not have happened without him is evidence of that,” said Kearny Mayor Al Santos. “Sometimes we are the forgotten portion of the county, but never with Tom DeGise.”
“Harrison’s redevelopment is alive and well and it could not have happened without the help of the county and Tom DeGise,” said Freeholder Al Cifelli. “Tom has been a great friend of West Hudson and he has stood shoulder to shoulder with leaders like the late Ray McDonough to make projects like this happen. Tom is an excellent county executive and I am proud to support him.”
