NORTH BERGEN – Revenge in politics takes many forms. Sometimes, it has to do with circumstance or just a lot of luck.
Either description fits Larry Wainstein, who was seen in recent years trying to unseat township Mayor Nick Sacco.
Wainstein ran three times against Sacco – and lost three times quite badly.
Now he’s running again, but not for mayor.
Wainstein is running for the state Assembly with incumbent Gabe Rodriguez in Hudson County’s 33rd District, which includes Union City, Guttenberg, Secaucus, North Bergen, Weehawken and West New York.
In his corner is Brian Stack, the mayor of Union City and the district’s state senator. Stack has a proven record of turning out votes, so that is a huge advantage.
The other incumbent in the district, Julio Marenco, is not seeking reelection.
But there are two other Dems running for Assembly nominations in the June 10 primary – Frank Alonso and Tony Hector.
To grasp how Wainstein rose from a perennial losing candidate to the likely favorite for an Assembly seat, you have to consider the feud between Stack and Sacco.
Stack’s endorsement of Wainstein clearly is a way to antagonize Sacco.
Sacco, for the record, said in a social media post:
“I am proud to support Tony Hector and Frank Alonso for State Assembly in the June Democratic Primary Election. Tony and Frank are both dedicated community leaders who North Bergen will always be able to count on.”
Sacco’s problem is about arithmetic.
Two of the largest towns in the district (Union City and West New York) would appear to be in the Wainstein-Rodriguez camp. We have Stack’s endorsement and Rodriguez is from West New York. He also is a former mayor, whose ascendancy to the Assembly cleared the way for Albio Sires, the former congressman, to become mayor.
As for the Assembly race, Wainstein and Rodriguez officially opened their Bergenline Avenue campaign office last week.
Stack’s photo is on the front window flanked by the two Assembly candidates.
Stack is not up for election this year, but why worry about the small details?
Wainstein appeared in a recent YouTube video called “The Dream City – Union City, N.J.” The title is .. well, creative.
He was asked about his losses to Sacco and said:
“When you have someone like me who fights the political machine, it’s not easy.”
Now, critics can – and probably will – say that Wainstein has hitched his wagon to the Stack machine.
Talking about Stack, Wainstein praised him for working to improve life in Union City since he was a teenager.
Part of the spat between Stack and Sacco involves a man named Leonard Filipowski, or Leroy Truth, a loud and persistent critic of the Union City mayor.
Stack says Sacco is paying Filipowski.
Sacco denies that.
Let’s see if Filipowski gets involved in the Assembly primary.
Larry Wainstein, a prominent figure in Hudson County politics, has found himself at the center of a controversy that has been making headlines in recent weeks. According to reports from Insider NJ, Wainstein’s involvement in what has been dubbed the “Hudson County Imbroglio” has raised questions about his role in the local political landscape.
Wainstein, a businessman and political activist, has been a vocal critic of the current administration in Hudson County. He has accused local officials of corruption and mismanagement, and has been a vocal advocate for transparency and accountability in government.
However, Wainstein’s own actions have come under scrutiny in recent weeks. According to Insider NJ, Wainstein has been linked to a number of questionable dealings in the county, including alleged ties to organized crime figures and questionable financial transactions.
In addition, Wainstein has been accused of using his political connections to benefit his own business interests. Insider NJ reports that Wainstein has been involved in a number of controversial development projects in the county, some of which have raised concerns about conflicts of interest and potential ethical violations.
Despite these allegations, Wainstein has maintained his innocence and has vowed to fight the charges against him. In a statement to Insider NJ, Wainstein denied any wrongdoing and insisted that he is being targeted by political enemies who are trying to discredit him.
The “Hudson County Imbroglio” has cast a shadow over the local political scene, with many residents expressing concern about the integrity of their elected officials. The controversy surrounding Larry Wainstein’s involvement has only added fuel to the fire, raising questions about the future of politics in Hudson County.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Wainstein’s involvement in the imbroglio will impact his political career and the broader political landscape in Hudson County. One thing is clear: the controversy surrounding Wainstein is far from over, and will likely continue to dominate headlines in the weeks and months to come.
