The Hudson County Democratic Organization announced its endorsements today for the State Senate and Assembly seats in the 31st Legislative District.
The HCDO said it would support Assemblywoman Angela McKnight for the Senate seat currently occupied by the retiring Sandra Cunningham. Cunningham, the widow of former Jersey City mayor Glenn Cunningham, was first elected to the seat in in 2007.
The organization is also endorsing Jersey City Democratic Organization Chairwoman Barbara Stamato and Assemblyman Will Sampson for the two Assembly seats. Sampson, would be running for re-election.
The 31st Legislative District was redrawn following the 2020 census and now encompasses part of Kearny but less of Jersey City.
McKnight has represented the 31st District in the State Assembly since 2016 and lives in Jersey City. She is the founder and chief executive officer of AngelaCARES, a nonprofit advocacy and support organization for senior citizens.
Sampson is a Bayonne resident who was elected to represent the 31st District in 2021. He is a member of International Longshoreman’s Association Local 1588.
Stamato is the Chairwoman of the Jersey City Democratic Organization and she was elected as the Vice Chair of the Hudson County Democratic Organization in 2022.
The HCDO announced its ticket for the 32nd and 33rd legislative districts last month, including Assemblyman Raj Mukherji for State Senate, John Allen for Assembly and Jessica Ramirez for Assembly in the 32nd District and State Senator Brian Stack, West New York Mayor Gabriel Rodriguez for Assembly and North Bergen Commissioner Julio Marenco for Assembly in the 33rd District.
“I’m proud to support…Angela McKnight, a devoted public servant in Barbara Stamato and a respected labor leader in Assemblyman Will Sampson,” said Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop.
Getting the HCDO’s endorsement gives a candidate a coveted “county line” position on the ballot. The “line” — a vertical grouping of candidates endorsed by the organization — is currently being challenged in federal court for what critics say is the unfair advantage it gives to candidates with machine backing. Other candidates, critics say, are consigned to “ballot Siberia” and garner many fewer votes by virtue of their position alone and off to the side.
The primary will take place on June 6.