WAYNE, NJ – The Wayne Regular Republican Organization (WRRO) officially announced their endorsed candidates for the 2025 General Election. Mayor Christopher Vergano is running for reelection to serve his 5th term as Wayne’s Mayor, alongside Council President Jason DeStefano. Completing the ticket are Donnie DeDio and Frank Pietropaolo, both of whom have been actively involved in the Wayne community for many years.
Mayor Vergano has a record of delivering positive results for Wayne and its residents. Under his leadership, Vergano has guided Wayne through some of the Township’s most prolific events, including the 2008 financial crisis, the floods from Hurricane Irene, and the COVID-19 outbreak. Through his efforts, Wayne remains stronger than ever and continues to be one of the best places to live, work, and raise a family in North Jersey. Mayor Vergano’s dedication to good government and fiscal responsibility helps keep Wayne’s municipal government efficient, saving Wayne taxpayers’ money.
Mayor Vergano has resided in Wayne since 1962. He and his wife, Deneen, both grew up in Wayne, attended school here, and have raised their family in the Packanack Lake section of the township. Mayor Vergano is employed by Hishi Plastics USA and serves as Vice President & General Manager of their Lincoln Park, NJ manufacturing facility. Aside from serving as mayor, he also serves on the Planning Board, is a member of the Passaic County 200 Club, and is a member of the advisory board of Chilton Memorial Hospital.
“I am very excited to run on a team with Council President Jay DeStefano, Donnie DeDio, and Frank Pietropaolo. Our team will continue to be the township’s financial stewards and work diligently to maintain the great services offered by Town Hall. I am also very excited about the Township’s decision to recently acquire the Wayne Community Center located at 1 Pike Drive, which will be here to meet all the current and future needs of our children, senior community, and residents. As Mayor, my continued goal is to stabilize the tax rate and provide for a safe, clean, and respected community where people want to live, work, and raise a family,” stated Vergano.
During his tenure, Council President DeStefano has been a pivotal figure in supporting first responders by fully funding the Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP). He also played a crucial role in uniting Wayne’s Jewish and Muslim communities to pass the first mutually supported resolution in the state.
DeStefano is deeply embedded in the Wayne community. He serves on the Foundabilities Board of Directors, is a member of the Passaic County 200 Club, and holds the position of Vice President at Wayne UNICO. Jason and his family are active parishioners at Our Lady of Consolation Church in Wayne. He and his wife, Lauren, reside in the Lionhead Lake community with their three sons: Deacon, Luca, and Kayden. When not volunteering or fulfilling his council duties, Jason can often be found coaching his sons at the Wayne PAL, Wayne Little League, and the Wayne Boys and Girls Club.
“To the residents of Wayne: I am a man of simple values—God, Family, and Country. My continued commitment to serving our community is unwavering, and I am dedicated to making Wayne a place where people are proud to call home. I look forward to continuing my service and ensuring Wayne remains the shining star of Passaic County,” stated DeStefano.
Donnie DeDio is a lifelong Wayne resident and a proud Wayne Valley High School graduate. DeDio has years of experience working in government and serves as the Chief of Staff to Senator Kristin M. Corrado. Active with Wayne’s youth community, DeDio is a member of the Wayne PAL Board of Trustees, where he served as the organization’s president in 2022 and 2023. Many in Wayne know Donnie as ‘Coach Donnie’ as he has a long tenure coaching basketball at the Wayne Boys and Girls Club and Wayne PAL. Currently, DeDio serves as the Assistant Varsity Boys Basketball Coach at Wayne Hills High School. DeDio also serves as a Commissioner on the Township’s Zoning Board of Adjustment and as the Chairman of the Passaic County Young Republicans, a position he’s held since 2018.
“With my experience serving Wayne, our youth, and in government, I can bring a new perspective to the Township Council to help keep Wayne moving forward. Solving today’s challenges is essential for our town’s future success, and I look forward to joining Mayor Vergano and their team,” said DeDio.
Frank Pietropaolo and his wife Nancy have proudly resided in the Packanack Lake section of Wayne for the past 23 years with their two children. Professionally, Pietropaolo serves as the Director of Construction Services at J. Fletcher Creamer and Son Inc. Frank has vast experience in construction, project management, and budgeting in this position, bringing a new outlook to the Township Council.
In 2018, Pietropaolo was the Republican candidate for Passaic County Freeholder. Pietropaolo was appointed to the Township’s Zoning Board of Adjustment in 2019 and currently serves as the board’s Vice Chair. Frank was active at the Wayne PAL and the Packanack Lake Athletic Association for many years, coaching softball, football, basketball, and lacrosse. In 2022, he was awarded the Wayne PAL’s Chief Award, which is presented to the organization’s volunteer of the year.
“I am excited to bring my knowledge of the construction industry and my dedication to working with the youth to the Wayne Township Council. Collectively with Mayor Vergano, we must continue to work efficiently and use our resources to ensure Wayne continues to be the best community to raise our families today and for years to come,” added Pietropaolo.
“We have a great team led by Mayor Vergano, ready to work hard to continue to deliver for our residents,” said WRRO Chairman Brian Burns. “I would like to thank all the members of the WRRO County Committee who convened last month to screen and endorse our team. The Republican Party in Wayne remains strong because of the dedicated individuals of our County Committee,” continued Burns.
The WRRO would also like to thank Councilman David Varano and Councilwoman Jill Sasso for their years of dedication and service to the Township Council. We wish them all the best in their next endeavors.
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Insider NJ recently reported on the Regular Republican Organization in Wayne, New Jersey issuing endorsements in the upcoming election. The organization, which has a long history of involvement in local politics, has announced their support for several candidates running for various positions in Wayne’s World.
The endorsements come at a crucial time as the election season heats up and candidates are vying for support from influential organizations like the Regular Republican Organization. By receiving their endorsement, candidates can gain access to the organization’s resources, network, and voter base, which can greatly impact their chances of winning.
According to Insider NJ, the Regular Republican Organization has endorsed candidates who they believe will best represent the interests of the community and uphold conservative values. This includes candidates who have a track record of supporting policies that align with the organization’s values and have demonstrated a commitment to serving the residents of Wayne.
The endorsements from the Regular Republican Organization are seen as a significant boost for the endorsed candidates, as they provide a stamp of approval from a well-respected and established political group in the community. This can help to differentiate endorsed candidates from their competitors and give them a competitive edge in the election.
Overall, the endorsements issued by the Regular Republican Organization in Wayne’s World are sure to have a significant impact on the upcoming election. As voters head to the polls, they will be looking to organizations like the Regular Republican Organization for guidance on which candidates are best suited to represent their interests and values.
