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Sacco to Retire as North Bergen Mayor, Backs Cabrera to Succeed Him
North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco announced he is retiring after 35 years as mayor and backing Commissioner Hugo Cabrera to succeed him, a transition that would make Cabrera the township’s first Hispanic mayor.
Sacco, who turns 80 next month, said he is stepping down because of health challenges he has faced over the past year. HudPost confirmed the mayor was recently treated for skin cancer and underwent surgery. He will leave office later this month and will not run in next year’s election.
“I believe that leaving now is the best thing I can do for my health, for my family, but also for the people of North Bergen,” Sacco said. He had intended to serve out his full term, which runs through May 2027, after winning reelection in 2023.
Sacco is one of the longest-serving public officials in New Jersey. A former school principal and administrator, he was first elected a North Bergen commissioner in 1985 and became mayor in 1991. He also served three decades in the state Senate, from 1994 until 2024, where he chaired the Transportation Committee, before being succeeded by Raj Mukherji.
Sacco said he felt able to step away because Cabrera is ready to take over. “He has the experience and the vision needed to step up and serve as the next mayor,” Sacco said. “He has my full support and confidence.”
Cabrera joined Sacco’s ticket as a commissioner in 1999 after years working behind the scenes on his campaigns, and has long overseen the township’s recreation department. He will now take over the Department of Public Affairs, the post Sacco held, which runs most of North Bergen’s day-to-day government.
For Cabrera, whose parents immigrated from Colombia, the milestone was personal.
“He’s giving me the opportunity to become the first Hispanic mayor,” Cabrera said. “My parents immigrated from Colombia. They would have never guessed that I would be, someday, the mayor of North Bergen.”
Cabrera credited Sacco with giving him his start in public service and said he would keep seeking his advice. “No one could ever replace him,” he said. “I learned a lot from him. I learned what public service is.”
Cabrera also backed Nick Sacco Jr., the mayor’s son, to fill his seat as commissioner of parks and recreation. He said Sacco Jr. had been volunteering across the parks and recreation departments and that the other commissioners agreed on the choice.
Sacco, who has led North Bergen since 1991, said he would stay involved. “I am not deserting,” he said. “I’m staying to help in any way I can.”
The retirement sets up next year’s municipal election. Assemblyman Larry Wainstein, a longtime rival who has challenged Sacco for mayor three times, did not respond to a request for comment on whether he will run.
