Sacco-Backed Candidates File, Set for Showdown with Stack Slate

Democratic candidates Tony Hector and Frank Alonso have officially filed their nominating petitions for the New Jersey General Assembly in the 33rd Legislative District.

Backed by former State Senator and North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco, Hector and Alonso submitted over 800 petition signatures. Their filing sets the stage for a heated primary contest against candidates supported by Union City Mayor and State Senator Brian Stack: incumbent Gabriel Rodriguez and businessman Larry Wainstein.

“We are honored by the overwhelming support we have received from the people of Hudson County,” said Hector. “Our campaign is about standing up to Brian Stack’s political machine and delivering real leadership for North Hudson taxpayers.”

Alonso echoed the sentiment, adding, “We are ready to take our message to the people and fight for policies that will make a difference in their daily lives.”

The quietly brewing tensions between Sacco and Stack have been an undercurrent in Hudson County politics for years, but this Assembly race marks the first true battle where both factions are openly testing their strength. This is either Stack flexing his political muscle as expected, or it could be the moment when Hector and Alonso give Sacco a second wind.

A win for Wainstein would not only cement Stack’s dominance in the newly redrawn district but almost certainly set up his fourth run for North Bergen mayor—though, of course, that’s just what we hear.