With a few hours remaining to file petitions with the city clerk to run in the Democratic primary election this June, local incumbents are bracing for challenges.
Voters will decide June 3, which Democrats they want to run on the ballot in the November general election against any Republican or Independent candidates.
The seats of Council members Scott Reddin, 3rd Ward, and Ken Rosenzweig, 1st Ward, expire Dec. 31. Both are seeking re-election bids this year and plan to meet the filing deadline today.
Members of the local Democratic committee who support the council candidates and petition for them all have to submit petitions this afternoon to retain their seats. The committee is made up of about 28 residents.
In phone interviews this morning, Councilman Reddin and longtime Committeewoman Violet Cherry both said they expect challengers to run against them.
Englewood’s Roosevelt Jean, a Hackensack attorney, wouldn’t confirm his candidacy but incumbent Councilman Reddin said he expects to run against him.
"He [Jean] hasn’t voted in any election and I haven’t seen him at any meetings," Reddin said.
"My philosophy is that people should be involved in the community before they run for public office. A lot of these people running have zero experience. There’s nothing wrong with fresh blood but I worked for almost 15 years in the community before I decided to run," he said.
Reddin said he wants to continue the work he’s done as a member of the governing body for the last two years.
"Holding the line on taxes, saving taxpayers $2 million by threatening a lawsuit against developers and giving back to schools among other things," Reddin said.
Jean wouldn’t confirm that he filed a petition to run in the Democratic primary but he said he would speak at a later time.
Cherry, a municipal committee member since 1979 and chairwoman for more than 10 years, said she also expects a challenge for her seat.
The name or experience of Cherry’s challenger could not be confirmed at press time.
Reddin said Mayor Michael Wildes was recently circulating petitions to oust longtime committee members, including Cherry.
"He wants to influence their votes," Reddin said.
Wildes did not return phone calls and an e-mail message.
Cherry is an adamant opponent of the Bergen County Democratic Organization and the group’s practices, under the direction of Joe Ferriero.
"You have the right to choose the people who represent us. We don’t do handpicked candidates," Cherry said.
The former Health Department director and longtime behind-the-scenes politician said the whole point of her candidacy is to promote the people’s right to vote and make sure residents exercise that right come Election Day.
