As time ticks down to Election Day, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop expressed his gratitude to a key ally of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ): Erica Daughtrey, who handles communications for U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-8).

Things have seldom been cozy between Fulop and the stoutest soldiers of the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO).

They’ve had alliances.

But those failed this year when the Jersey City mayor bonded with Union City Mayor Brian P. Stack to take on the party outfit.

The death of his brother last month gave Fulop a moment to reevaluate  some of those frayed relationships.

Here’s the message the mayor posted on Daughtrey’s Facebook page:

“I know people often criticize government employees but I wanted to share an interaction I had as a constituent where I needed help, I felt desperate, and someone in government went above and beyond just “checking the box”.

“Many of you know that earlier this month, my older brother passed away at 43 years old. He was on a business trip in Vietnam and he had a massive heart attack. Beyond the shock and grief for our family,  the challenges for us in the days/weeks that followed were extremely complicated with regards to getting my brother home in a timely manner, getting medical info from Vietnam, getting luggage back, and moving the government in both the US/Vietnam to act etc. Needless to say it was/is a nightmare. 

“While there were many people that played a role in helping for which I am grateful,  i must say that Erica Daughtrey in Congressman Sires’s office was a cut above anyone else. Her diligence, follow up, and compassion in a time of need were amazing.

“Over the last few weeks I’ve been thinking a lot about those days, my interaction as a constituent and how we in Jersey City can raise the bar to mirror someone like Erica’s follow up. I’m going to be looking more closer at our resident response center in Jersey City because my hope is that when residents interact with Jersey City they leave feeling the same way I did about Erica’s job performance in Congressman Sires’s office

“So…. on behalf of my family, thank you Erica Daughtrey for your work and over the next few weeks I’m going to see how we can improve our resident services here in Jersey City as I think every resident deserves that.”