Young Candidate Takes on Established Opponent for County Commissioner Seat

Stephanie Martinez has been recruited by the Hudson County Progressive Democrats to run for the North Bergen county commissioner seat in the 8th District, which includes most of Secaucus. Martinez plans to challenge Parking Authority Director Robert Baselice, who was recently revealed as the preferred candidate of Hudson County Democratic Organization.

The seat has become vacant due to current commissioner and chair of the county Democrats, Anthony Vainieri, running for a seat on the North Bergen Board of Commissioners. Martinez says she aims to provide voters with a real choice and address the challenges facing Hudson County, including affordability, parks and green spaces, and public safety.

Martinez team says she is passionate about environmental justice and its intersection with gender equality, food sovereignty, and public healthcare. She was active in environmental activism during her academic years at St. Peter’s University and in her community, North Bergen.

Martinez rounds out a progressive slate of county challengers for the June 6th primary, which includes Eleana Little for county executive, TJ Senger in the 1st District, Adrian Ghainda in the 2nd District, Mamta Singh in the 4th District, Ron Bautista in the 5th District, and Alex Valdez in the 9th District. The recruitment of Martinez is a significant step for progressives looking to challenge the HCDO power in North Hudson and an opportunity to compete in every part of Hudson County.