Who’s The Boss? Hudson Dems Should Know

Democratic Congressional candidate John Flora (NJ10) joined the statewide battle to question the process by which large county committees create ballots with vertical lines of endorsed candidates. The Hudson County native is championing efforts against “The Line”, even visiting Hudson County Democratic Organization committeepersons at their homes in hopes of discussing this voter suppression tactic.

Most committeepersons he spoke to agreed that their role remains minimal in the organization. One committeeman Flora spoke to said he had to consult Tom Degise before entertaining any conversation about changing by-laws within the organization or signing a petition to get Flora’s name on the ballot. Perplexed, Flora asked “Why a committeeman would need to talk to the County Executive and not his daughter who chairs the organization he is a member of?

“The question here is who’s the boss?” asked Flora. “Amy DeGise wanted the title of Chairwoman and self-identified as a progressive who would change the HCDO. Falling short on a promise to elevate the role of membership is far from progressive. Conversing with several committeemembers confirmed my initial suspicion that she doesn’t have the final say as it relates to process.”

John Flora, who is up against Donald Payne Jr. in the NJ primary election this June, has been reaching out since the Fall to speak with the organization. The lack of a response sent him on an investigation he already knew the answer to.

“Amy has said to media outlets that my actions are causing in-party fighting,” said Flora. “But isn’t that what primary cycles are for? Am I supposed to be quiet as I watch the HCDO make decisions for an entire county without even vetting all of the candidates?”

Flora’s campaign is organizing a rally on Saturday, March 7th at 10am in front of the HCDO Headquarters on Danforth Avenue in Jersey City. The rally, part of a larger statewide moment, is questioning “The Line” and the political patronage that county committees control. “Imagine if the HCDO stood for more than an exchange between $150 plates at fancy fundraisers and the preservation of county jobs and appointments? Imagine, instead, if the organization actually reflected a democratic exchange of ideas from all of its shareholders?”

A recent statement claims that Flora is attacking Amy because she is a woman. But Flora’s campaign manager, Jill Pitman, asserted that the campaign has several female volunteers in key roles. Her response to the allegations was that “Amy’s broken promises know no gender.”