Change Starts at the Bottom

by: Matthew Jordan

Mon Jun 14, 2010 at 10:55:13 AM EDT

Each was a unique situation.  All have the establishment wondering what it means to the status quo.  Mayor-Elect Jeff Jones took a complacent incumbent and strong African-American turn out to win 43% of the vote in a non-partisan May municipal race. Jeff Gardner recruited 26 grassroots activists and out hustled, out messaged, and out classed Senator John Girgenti to take over the Hawthorne Democratic County Committee and provide fresh leadership to what was a lackluster under performing local party.  Mayor Domenick Stampone used a combination of establishment support, a strong record of accomplishments, and a diverse ticket to gain over 55% of the vote in a Democratic Primary where he was challenged by a sitting Councilman running with the support of the local municipal leader.  

All 3 races had different circumstances sharing a common thread: an injection of new faces and leadership into the Passaic County Democratic Organization.  In the short term it is hard to tell how these races will affect the current party leadership.    

Chairman John Currie is not reelected until June 2011.  His record has been strong, going a decade without losing a countywide race.  But after a lackluster 2009 cycle where all 4 of his candidates lost, his fate will surely be judged by the electoral outcome of Sheriff Jerry Speziale and Freeholders Terry Duffy and Pat Lepore in November.  Losses in any of these races will surely spark a challenge to his Chairmanship.  Regardless of November's outcome, the Chairman will be dealing with an energized County Committee looking to bring a fresh approach to the party apparatus.  

But the biggest lesson we should all take from the events in Passaic County is if you want to make a difference, get off this site and start organizing.  Start attending your local DFA-NJ meetings.  Join the County Committee in your town or engage local leaders.  You'd be amazed how quickly you can get intertwined in the local political scene.  Writing on Blue Jersey, although a good start, is not enough.  As Jeff proved, change starts at the bottom.  

(Full Disclosure: I was a paid consultant for Haledon Mayor Domenick Stampone's primary campaign and will be working for him through the general election.)