| Bergen County Democratic committee members following their leaders cast their votes on behalf of Tim Eustace over Jeff Gardner this afternoon at the convention in Paramus. Visitors were greeted outside where there was only one booth - that of Jeff Gardner and his many supporters who urged committee persons to vote for him. As Jeff said of the convention, "It's a great display of democracy. We are one party working together to get the strongest ticket to win in November." Always gracious he remains committed to the 38th Democratic ticket and will continue to lead the effort to elect Democratic councilpersons in Hawthorne.
After ousting Senator John Girgenti to become Hawthorne's Municipal Dem. Chairman, Jeff launched a vigorous campaign - first for Senator in his 35th District. Following reapportionment Hawthorne was moved to the 38th District as the only Passaic County town in an otherwise Bergen County district, placing him at a disadvantage. There he he tossed his hat in the ring for the vacant assembly seat, developed an excellent staff and built a sizable war chest.
Days before the convention took place 38th District Senator Bob Gordon and Assemblywoman Connie Wagner announced their support for Tim Eustace, Mayor of Bergen County's Maywood. They did not allude to their support for Eustace when they spoke on the convention platform, but they worked assiduously on his behalf.
The only good news is that the new 38th District is Democratic-leaning (52% to 48%) and Tim Eustace is a proven vote getter who has been an elected official there for ten years. A member of Garden State Equality, he became a pioneer in 1989 when he and his partner adopted two kids with HIV - a controversial action at the time which gained him wide respect as well as vicious threats.
Nonetheless, there remains a hole in our hearts and minds for Blue Jersey's Jeff Gardner whose dedication and ideals we value. He displayed courage, skill, and tenacity with wide support from progressives throughout New Jersey and the nation. He played a key role in ending the tenure of Sen. Girgenti whose vote against marriage equality aroused the ire of so many New Jerseyans. Against all odds Jeff continued his efforts to sway the Bergen County Committee members up to the very last moment. He can be proud of a strong campaign and go forward toward new challenges with the knowledge he acquitted himself with honor. |
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