Politics
Alex Valdez Wins Democratic Nomination for Hudson County Commissioner
Alex Valdez won the Democratic nomination for Hudson County Commissioner in District 9 in Tuesday’s primary election, defeating fellow Democrats Larry Bennett and Mina Ekladious in a three-way race.
Valdez received 1,880 votes, or 43.81%, according to results from the Hudson County Clerk’s Office. Bennett finished second with 1,228 votes (28.62%), followed by Ekladious with 1,168 votes (27.22%).
The three candidates ran to replace Commissioner Albert Cifelli, who is not seeking re-election.
Valdez ran on the Hudson County Democratic Unity ticket alongside Cory Booker for U.S. Senate; Rob Menendez, Nellie Pou, and Lamonica McIver for U.S. Congress; Jeffrey Dublin for County Register; and Commissioner candidates Kenneth Kopacz, Bill O’Dea, Pam Johnson, Yraida Aponte-Lipski, Ron Bautista, Fanny Cedeno, Caridad Rodriguez, and Robert Baselice.
Hudson County Democratic Organization Chair Craig Guy congratulated the ticket in a statement Tuesday night.
“We committed to doing the hard work required to make sure our organization best represents the ever-expanding voices and true conscience that represents all of our shared democratic values, and tonight is true validation of that commitment,” Guy said. “Our Democratic Unity Team will focus on creating more affordable housing and keeping our streets and neighborhoods safe while also making sure we prioritize our children’s educations and protect every county family.”
Valdez is a Kearny resident, a former Sergeant in the New Jersey Army National Guard, and a nurse in training. He is a graduate of Kearny Public Schools and earned his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Rutgers-Newark.
Raised by his mother and grandmother, who immigrated from Ecuador in 1990, Valdez previously worked at the Boys & Girls Club of Paterson and Passaic and later joined the International Rescue Committee, where he assisted asylum seekers at the Southern Border, helped resettle Afghan refugees, and delivered humanitarian aid along the Poland-Ukraine border.
Valdez will face Republican Anmol Gopalak in the November 3 general election.
