Democrats in North Caldwell are seeking to take control of local government for the first time in more than 100 years, with a former Republican council member preparing to run for mayor and a current Republican council member considering a change of party to participate with.
Joshua Raymond, a partner of the politically influential law firm McManimon Scotland, who served two terms on the city council, will take on Mayor Joseph Alessi. He will run for two council candidates, including Steve Weinstein, a cousin of MP Josh Gotheimer (D-Wykaff), who grew up in North Caldwell.
Republicans have a 4-2 majority in the city council, this year Republican board members Arthur Reese and Kenneth Tilton.
Rice told the New Jersey Globe he would seek re-election, but did not rule out running for office
Democrat with Raymond, his former partner.
“It’s still in the air,” Reese said. “I ran with Josh. I know where he stands. At this point, I’m leaning towards Josh. “
Rice said local elections should not be partisan.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a Republican or a Democrat,” he said. “I will either run as a Republican or support Josh from the Democrats.”
Weinstein is a former head of securitization products at Bank of America. He contributed $ 2,000 to Gotheimer’s campaign in 2016 to remove MP Scott Garrett (R-Wantage). He can now expect a return on his investment from his cousin, Human Fundraising Machine.
North Caldwell was Republican enough that Democrats didn’t bother running for local candidates in the Watergate Waves election of 1973 and 1974 or the 1964 LBJ. But over the past decade the district has become more politically competitive.
Joe Biden defeated North Caldwell with 236 votes in 2020, with US Senator Corey Booker winning with 89 and MP Mickey Cheryl (D-Mantler) with 178. In 2016, Donald Trump scored 122 votes and MP Rodney Frelinghausen. -Harding) won with a score of 829. Mitt Romney was ahead of Barack Obama by 790 votes in 2012.
In 2020, the Democrats got their first local victories in more than a century, with Anthony Floria-Calori (2,260) and Matthew Atlas (2,241), ousting the two incumbent Republican presidents, John Chiai (2,165) and Cynthia Santamoura (2,157). Raymond backed two Democratic candidates.
Republicans overtook North Caldwell in 2021, and Jack Chattarelli defeated Governor Phil Murphy with 165 votes, slightly better than Kim Guadanho’s advantage against Murphy by 121 votes in 2017. Republicans won North Caldwell with 597 votes in the 2009 governor’s office.
But last year, Democrats decided not to compete, allowing Republican Council members Robert Kessler and Francis Astorino to speak without opposition.
Alessi scored 71% of the vote against independent Richard Verde in 2018. He had no opposition in 2010 when he replaced Mayor Mel Levin, and again in 2014.
