By Daniel Beckelman

Bergen County Republicans, fresh off several key municipal victories but lacking gains in county or state offices, met last Thursday at the BCRO headquarters to address and assess the recent races, with much of the background talk being speculation on the county organization’s finances and whether County Democrats will adjust next year’s freeholder ticket. With County Chair Rob Ortiz absent due to his newborn son still being in the hospital, former State Committeewoman Eleanor Nissley chaired the meeting.           

Senator Gerald Cardinale headlined the evening. Cardinale, the only remaining Bergen Republican in the State Senate, talked about the issues in his race but also chastised the 37th District County Committee for not better organizing the $10 donations to candidates Clara Nibot, Frank Cifarelli, and Wojech Siemaszkiewicz so they could qualify for clean elections in the left-leaning district against Democrats Loretta Weinberg, Valerie Huttle, and Gordon Johnson, all of whom stumbled to an easy reelection despite divide within the Democratic Party and furor over Johnson’s donations to political cultist Lyndon LaRouche.           

“This was the only (Clean Elections) district where candidates didn’t raise the money, and it was only the Republicans who failed to raise the money,” Cardinale said. The other two clean elections districts were the 24th, a Republican stronghold in the mountains of the state’s northwest, and the political polyglot of the 14th which is east of the state’s capital.  Cardinale also implored county committee members to donate $25 each, stating that the 1000-plus county committee people could raise $25,000 for the County Republicans, in the name of “rebuilding the county organization.” The relatively weak turnout of about ten percent of County Committee was not inspiring for the fundraising drive.

Some inside sources suggested that money may not be the organization’s problem. There is widespread belief that the organization’s financial situation has improved considerably, but that Chairman Ortiz and his circle of advisors chose not to spend on candidates. As reported before, the freeholder candidates were dismayed at the allocation of funding. Some have said efforts in municipal races from the county were de-funded midway through. Moreover, questions remain as to the organization’s debt.

The current atmosphere also seems to have squashed the idea of closing the Organization’s large and expensive Main Street headquarters, as several, including former Congressional candidate Vince Micco of Rutherford, suggested using the grand space for more social events and fundraisers in their speeches. Micco also proposed a new County Republican club and an organization for Republican businesspeople.

“With 1100 county committee members, the BCRO is an economy onto itself,” said Micco, who is thought to a future candidate for chairman.

The man of the hour, was in fact a former Democrat. Ex-Democratic County Committeeman and newly elected Republican Mayor of Rutherford, John Hipp and his team discussed their overwhelming landslide in a town thought to be strongly Democrat. Hipp’s 38-point margin over two-term Mayor and Freeholder Bernadette McPherson was lauded by almost all in attendance. Other party regulars tried to piggyback off Hipp’s victory, with District 38 leader Rich Miller citing victories in Elmwood Park and Ridgefield as examples of Republican resurgence.

While it was a stronger Republican year at the municipal level, the party faces challenges next year in the state’s largest county.  Speculation is rising that popular Democratic Freeholder Liz Calabrese of Wallington may challenge County Clerk Kathe Donovan. Some insiders also feel that Chairman Ortiz may have become too close to presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, as one put it, “as Chair you have to appeal to fifty shades of red, not glue yourself to one.” Giuliani’s thawing lead in some polls has also drawn concern that Ortiz may have gotten too close to an uncertain winner.

Republicans aren’t getting much hope out of the possibility running against weak Freeholder incumbents David L. Ganz of Fair Lawn and McPherson, both of whom were rejected for re-election to municipal office in normally Democratic towns. Insiders assume there will be replacements.

Some even doubt whether Cardinale would have been re-elected against stronger competition than the easily disposed of Joseph Ariyan.  “If Matt McHale or Josephine Higgins had run against Gerry, it would have been a much tougher race,” one party insider related.

Internal speculation may rise with this meeting as June’s election for Chair draws closer. Micco took a prominent role at the meeting (though disavowed wanting to be Club President), and the Iraq veteran is well-liked by many on county committee. The runner-up from the last Chairman’s race, Ben Focarino of Garfield, showed up and was well received. The Republican resurgence in municipal races in the 36th District might be a compelling case for either man to accede to the Chairmanship.