Mayor John Labrosse officially rejoined the Democratic Party at an event held today, where Bergen County Democratic Chairman Lou Stellato, Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and several other elected officials and leaders all welcomed him with open arms. Labrosse also announced his endorsement of Phil Murphy for Governor ahead of Tuesday’s Democratic Primary Election.

“This is an exciting day for myself and for the City of Hackensack,” said Labrosse, who won reelction last month in his town’s nonpartisan contest. “I would like to thank Chairman Stellato, Senator Weinberg, my fellow mayors and all of the good friends who have welcomed me back to the party I spent most of my life in with open arms. I look forward to working with all of these leaders along with our next governor Phil Murphy who I hope to partner with to keep moving our city forward.”

Other officials present at the event included Hackensack Council members Dave Sims and Leo Battaglia, County Clerk John Hogan, County Surrogate Mike Dressler, Assemblyman Gordon Johnson, Teaneck Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin, Paramus Mayor Rich LaBarbiera, Rev. Gregory Jackson of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Hackensack Democratic Committee Vice Chair Humberto Goez, Daniel Ortega of Engineers Labor Employment Cooperative and several other leaders.

“Today our Democratic Party grew as the Mayor of our county seat came back home to a party that is excited to have him and his team with us,” said Stellato. “I am very proud to welcome John Labrosse back to the Democratic Party and see a bright future both for the City of Hackensack and County of Bergen with his leadership.”

A registered Democrat until 2009, Labrosse left the party due to disagreements with its local leadership at the time and registered as a Republican. He later left the Republican Party in 2016 in protest of Donald Trump’s harmful and divisive rhetoric, which he saw as offensive to the residents of Hackensack. Now, Labrosse has returned back to the Democratic Party by officially submitting his party change registration form.

“John Labrosse has always been an outstanding leader for his city and someone for whom I have a great deal of respect,” said Weinberg. “Seeing John rejoin our party today is a testament to the unity that is present in the Bergen County Democratic Committee and I’m so proud to welcome him.”