Stack & Guy’s May Have a Winnable Path to Defeat Fulop Allies in Hudson County

The Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) is no stranger to political intrigue, and the latest chapter has begun.

County Executive Craig Guy and Union City Mayor Brian Stack, often hailed as the GOTV (Get Out The Vote) “GOAT,” are orchestrating a strategy to prevail in the political power struggle that is being dubbed the “Hudson County Civil War.”

Guy knows the intricacies of political relationships that date back to the 1980s. Stack, on the other hand, cut his teeth in politics under the tutelage of William Musto, a master of relationship-building in Hudson County. Together, Stack and Guy are not inciting a civil war based on former Governor Jim McGreevey’s bid for Jersey City mayor, but rather on the principle of maintaining a balanced distribution of power in county politics, as one source stated.

This power struggle intensified when Senator Bob Menendez faced legal troubles and the traditional “county line” was dismantled by the Andy Kim for New Jersey bid for Senate.

The unanimous support in 2023 of county mayors behind Guy’s candidacy for County Executive initially promised a continuation of unity among Hudson County Democratic leaders. However, sources indicate that Stack emphasized the importance of a unified front among county leaders in selecting a mayoral candidate for Jersey City who would collaborate effectively with other mayors.

Guy and Stack have raised concerns over Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s perceived neutrality in the race to determine his successor. This neutrality, they argue, could signify an unsettling shift in alliances. Fulop’s gubernatorial aspirations may have been bolstered by McGreevey’s support across the state, leading Stack and Guy to question his commitment to local unity.

Allies close to Stack and Guy reveal that they have little to lose politically. Guy is in the first year of his tenure, and regardless of Fulop’s success in the 2025 gubernatorial race, they will remain pivotal figures in the HCDO.

Their strategy appears straightforward: no gubernatorial candidate should want internal county conflicts during a statewide primary, especially when it risks losing a substantial bloc of 25,000 votes from Hudson County.

Maintaining amicable statewide connections is also a cornerstone of their approach. “Every other week, Fulop is at odds with Democratic leaders across the state—leaders with whom Stack, as a State Senator, must maintain relationships,” one source noted. “Guy and Stack are not trying to be perceived as Fulop allies in these squabbles. Steve is clashing with State Democratic Chairman LeRoy Jones, power broker George Norcross, the Murphy administration, and the Menendez family. They do not want to extinguish fires they did not ignite.”

In essence, Stack and Guy’s plan may be to simply endure until the 2025 elections have passed, then address the resulting political fallouts. Neither is on a ballot in 2025.

This approach allows them to avoid direct conflict while preserving their influence within the HCDO, ensuring they can mend fences and rebuild alliances in a post-Fulop era.

Hudson County’s political drama is ever-evolving, and as the battle lines are drawn, Stack and Guy’s strategy to wait, watch, and maintain strategic relationships may well prove to be a viable formula in this political civil war.

Casualty Report

Former Assemblywoman Joan Quigley’s resignation/removal from her $275k per year gig. It must be nice.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are solely those of Bruce (The Chronicler in Chief) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of HudPost or its editorial staff.