The Hudson County Democratic Organization is backing Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders.
The Hudson County Democratic Organization endorsed Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders at an April 4, 2016 press conference in Jersey City. AP Photo/John Locher JERSEY CITY -- It's Hillary over Bernie for Hudson County Democrats.
The county's top Democrats gathered in the historic Brennan Court House this afternoon to announce the Hudson County Democratic Organization is backing Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders in the Democratic race for the White House.
"It's time for a woman to become president," said state Sen. Nicholas Sacco, D-North Bergen.
New Jersey primary voters generally have little say over presidential nominations because the primary is in June, usually long after a front-runner has emerged. But, Democrats noted today, with Clinton and Sanders still battling it out for the nomination, the Garden State may be important.
"When you're in a blue state like New Jersey there's nothing like having the endorsement of the bluest county," said Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise.
The HCDO has tapped Jersey City Councilwoman-at-large Joyce Watterman and former Assemblywoman Joan Quigley to coordinate with Clinton's campaign. Quigley was a Clinton supporter in 2008, when Clinton lost the Democratic primary to President Obama.
Asked why she supports Clinton over Sanders, a Vermont senator, Quigley repeated a frequent attack line from the Clinton campaign, which accuses Sanders of making unrealistic campaign pledges.
"Bernie Sanders is making wonderful promises and he cannot keep a one of them," Quigley said. "So if he's making promises and knows he can't keep them, I don't believe him."
Polls show Clinton with a commanding lead over Sanders in New Jersey.
The HCDO also announced its slate of candidates in the local primary races: Frank X. Schillari, who is seeking his third term as sheriff, and Jersey City Ward F Councilwoman Diane Coleman, who is seeking her first term as county register.
Coleman would vacate her council seat, which she first won in 2012, if she wins November's general election.
"As aways I'm going to give it all I have," she said. "I'm going to work as hard as I can."
It's unusual for the HCDO to gather without some top Democrats touting Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop's likely 2017 gubernatorial bid. Sacco said today that Fulop has been a "positive force" for Jersey City.
"If I ran for governor would I be slim like Steve Fulop?" Sacco said.
Schillari is set to face two Democratic opponents: Andrea Espinal and Juan Espinal (they are unrelated). They are unrelated. Coleman's Democratic challengers will be Moses Salem and Esmeralda Trinidad.
On the GOP side, Mark Borchert filed petitions to run for sheriff and Omar Salgado filed to run for register. Both men are running unopposed.
The primary is Tuesday, June 7.
Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.