Longtime Hudson County resident and former Chris Christie staffer Brian Varela has decided to challenge the NJ political machine and its line.

Varela, the son of immigrants, was the first person in his family to graduate college and went on to get his MBA. He went on to form several successful companies in aesthetics, marketing, and early childhood education, according to his press release.

He is a Democrat from North Bergen, according to his ally, Anne-Marie Principe.

From that release:

“He is proud to say he has employed hundreds of workers while making sure they made more than a living wage. He has given back to his local community and internationally. He has known since he was a teen that his destiny was to make a difference, to create a better world. He is ready to move into that role.

“Brian knows he faces a great challenge, where party leaders have already chosen a candidate to fill the seat. That is not how Democracy is supposed to work. The people should be able to choose the candidate they feel best represents them, not one chosen for them.

“In this new post-pandemic world, people have lost jobs, homes and we are seeing a mental health crisis like no other. We need leaders who can navigate these difficult times, restore constituents’ faith in government and remind them of how resilient Americans can be.

“Brian Varela wants you to know Your Voice Counts and hopes you will give him the opportunity to represent you here in New Jersey and on Capitol Hill.”

U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-8) currently occupies the 8th Congressional District seat in the Democratic Party-dominant district. He is retiring at the end of his term this year and the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) backs Rob Menendez – son of United States Senator Bob Menendez – to replace Sires.