BY ADELE SAMMARCO

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Hudson County has long been, historically and traditionally, a Democratic stronghold in the state. In Bayonne, Democrats outnumber Republicans in registration by a six to one margin (52.2% to 8.3%), and was carried by President Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential election by 33 points.

An enclave of hard working residents spanning business, religious, cultural, and civic groups make-up the melting pot of this Gateway Region, situated on a peninsula located between Newark Bay to the west, the Kill van Kull to the south, and New York Bay to the east.

On Friday, front and center, stood Governor Christie, amid an election year, canvassing the vote from the community, “Even more – I’m proud of what it says about how we’ve governed – focusing on results, getting important things done for our constituents, and delivering in a meaningful way for communities like Bayonne.”

What better way to collect the Democratic vote than in Hudson County with the promise of jobs and much needed attention. Construction is currently underway on the $1.3 billion project to raise and modernize the 81 year old Bayonne Bridge, creating more than 2,500 construction jobs in New Jersey. The total regional economic impact of the project will result in approximately $380 million in annual wages, and $1.6 billion in annual economic activity.

In education, Christie is providing state support for K-12 schools at the highest level in history. His fiscal year 2014 budget increased state aid to Bayonne schools by nearly $500,000. Furthermore, the Christie Administration has provided $13.5 million in SDA funding to upgrade nine public schools in Bayonne.

Bayonne is another cross-aisle support base Christie has earned in Hudson County, in addition to the backing of State Senator Brian Stack and all four Union City Commissioners, Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli and all six members of the Secaucus Town Council, Harrison Mayor Ray McDonough and all eight members of the Harrison City Council.

To date, Bayonne community leaders standing with Christie are: Mike O'Connor, former Bayonne Democratic Committee Chairman and current committee member; John Majmundar, Bayonne Chamber of Commerce member; Elizabeth Jessen, former Bayonne Democratic Committee member; Bishop Dr. Thomas Robinson, Pastor, Evangelical Gospel Tabernacle; Michele Levine, President, Bayonne Jewish Community Center; Edward Mayo, former Bayonne Democratic Committee member; Greg Scott, Trustee, Free Mason Peninsula Lodge; Virginia Kemp, Trustee, Bayonne Chamber of Commerce; Chair, Past-President, Bayonne Rotary Club; Past Board Member Marist High School; Carmine Borzelli, Bayonne Library Board of Trustees; 2008 Grand Marshal, Bayonne St. Patrick's Day Parade; former. Bayonne Democratic Committee Member; Mary Ann Rowland, Bayonne Chamber of Commerce, Trustee; Bayonne Public Library, Board of Trustees, Treasurer; Erin Jessen, Port Authority Police Benevolent Association, member; Fmr. Bayonne Democratic Committee Member; and Dorothy Dillin, former Bayonne Democratic County committee member.

David Turner, a spokesperson for the Democratic Gubernatorial Challenger campaign, Senator Barbara Buono of Middlesex, responded to Christie's comments in Bayonne Friday in a statement, "His assertion that he has run a squeaky clean government is just false. He filled his administration with cronies who have made ethically questionable decisions, most notably, selecting a more expensive ad campaign that featured the Governor and his family. During his tenure, his allies have seen their businesses expand and those with political connections have been awarded no-bid contracts. Even his re-election campaign has skirted New Jersey's pay-to-play laws."