U.S. Rep. Donald Payne (D-10) backs Operating Engineers Local 68 organizer Dahlia Vertreese for mayor of Hillside.

President of the Local School Board, Vertreese is a former Newark School teacher who is running with the support of the local Democratic Party Organization. She hopes to cut through a field of three other contenders and succeed outgoing Mayor Angela Garretson. Garretson is running for a Union County freeholder seat.

Federal gatekeeper Payne backed Garretson four years ago, and now supports Vertreese.