The other shoe has predictably fallen in Hudson County.
Ravi Bhalla, the outgoing mayor of Hoboken, is teaming up with Katie Brennan to run for the state Assembly in LD-32, which covers Hoboken and parts of Jersey City.
This is not surprising after current Assemblyman John Allen, a Bhalla ally, said he would not seek another term.
By that time, Brennan already was in the race, and it seemed likely that Bhalla would replace Allen and run with Brennan.
The political dynamic here is that Bhalla and Brennan represent the progressive wing of the Democratic party
Both, in fact, testified recently against legislation creating a new ballot design.
Supporters hailed the new design as a triumph of transparency, but both Brennan and Bhalla said it wasn’t good enough.
Or as Brennan put it, the new ballot may be “more fair,” but it is still unfair.
Bhalla not only criticized the new ballot, but how the relevant Senate committee meeting that endorsed it was run. He complained that speakers had to wait around for more than four hours before getting a chance to speak.
As of now, there are four other candidates in the primary race for the district’s two Assembly nods.
They include incumbent Jessica Ramirez, who is running with Yousef J. Saleh, and in support of gubernatorial candidate Steve Fulop.
Also in the race is the team of Jenny Pu and Crystal Fonseca, who are backed by the Hudson County Democratic organization.
Relatively speaking, Both Bhalla and Brennan have name recognition in political circles, which can help.
Bhalla is a mayor and last year, he ran, albeit unsuccessfully, for Congress, losing a primary to Rep. Robert Menendez Jr.
Brennan was the purported victim in a well-publicized sexual assault case that prompted a series of legislative hearings back in 2018.
A statement from the joint campaign described Brennan as a “dedicated public servant with expertise in housing policy and advocacy for survivors of sexual assault.”
It also said that the Bhalla-Brennan team will be progressive reformers and fight for housing, public transit, the climate, and government accountability
They also pledged to maintain their independence from political machines and party bosses.
Even in these days of “no more line,” political machines still wield power in primaries.
This scrap in Hudson may show just how real that power is.
The Bhalla-Brennan Alliance has been making waves in New Jersey politics, particularly in the 32nd Legislative District (LD-32). This alliance between Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and State Senator Brian Stack has been a hot topic of discussion among political insiders and constituents alike.
The LD-32 Flashpoint refers to the ongoing power struggle between the Bhalla-Brennan Alliance and the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) in the 32nd Legislative District. This district covers parts of Jersey City, Hoboken, Union City, and Weehawken, making it a crucial battleground for political control in Hudson County.
The Bhalla-Brennan Alliance, led by Mayor Fulop and Senator Stack, has been gaining momentum in LD-32, challenging the long-standing dominance of the HCDO. The alliance has been successful in electing candidates who align with their progressive agenda, including Assemblyman Raj Mukherji and Assemblywoman Angela McKnight.
On the other hand, the HCDO, led by Chairman Amy DeGise, has been fighting to maintain its stronghold in LD-32. The organization has faced criticism for its lack of transparency and alleged corruption, leading many residents to support the Bhalla-Brennan Alliance as a fresh alternative.
The LD-32 Flashpoint has become a microcosm of the larger power struggles within the Democratic Party in New Jersey. As Mayor Fulop and Senator Stack continue to expand their influence in Hudson County, the HCDO is facing increasing pressure to adapt to the changing political landscape.
In conclusion, the Bhalla-Brennan Alliance and the LD-32 Flashpoint are shaping up to be one of the most intriguing political battles in New Jersey. As the 2021 elections approach, all eyes will be on LD-32 to see which side emerges victorious in this high-stakes showdown.
