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Mayors

Democrats Vie for Mayor in Passaic County Primary

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A competitive primary election is set to take place in Passaic County on June 10, as two Democrats, James Freeswick and Donald Pavlak Jr., will vie for the party nomination to run for mayor. The winner will face incumbent Republican Mayor Christopher Vergano in the general election on November 4. Both candidates have expressed a strong desire to serve the community, but they differ on key issues, including affordable housing.

Key Takeaways:

  • James Freeswick, 75, is a retired police sergeant and attorney who has been involved in politics for nearly 60 years, including a previous bid for mayor in 2003 and 2007.
  • Donald Pavlak Jr., 64, is the Board of Education president who has been endorsed by party leaders and has a track record of success in local elections, having never lost a previous election.
  • The two candidates differ significantly on affordable housing, with Pavlak advocating for exploring alternative solutions that do not involve private development, and Freeswick supporting the current administration's approach of settling site by site with for-profit builders.
  • Freeswick believes that the new law signed by Governor Phil Murphy to overhaul the ballot design will give him a better chance to win the primary.
  • Both candidates agree on the importance of promoting the local economy, repairing crumbling infrastructure, and stabilizing the tax base.
  • The primary election will also feature contested races for three at-large seats on the Township Council, as well as a contested primary in Wanaque.

Statistics:

  • Passaic County has a population of approximately 485,000 residents (Source: US Census Bureau, 2020 data).
  • The primary election will take place on June 10, with in-person early voting beginning on June 3 (Source: NorthJersey.com).
  • The general election will be held on November 4, with incumbent Republican Mayor Christopher Vergano facing the winner of the Democratic primary.

Sources:

  • NorthJersey.com: "Democrats Vie for Mayor in Passaic County Primary"
  • Governor Phil Murphy: "Executive Order No. 82: Overhaul of Ballot Design in New Jersey"
  • US Census Bureau: "2020 United States Census Data"

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