Following the news of a deal to end the war for the chairmanship of the State Democratic Party, Senate President Sweeney lashed out at Essex County Democratic Chairman Jones, according to a NJ.com report.

Sweeney told NJ.com that he’s ‘really disappointed that LeRoy didn’t sit down with people that all were working together before he decided to do this on his own’ and that ‘a lot of people stood with him. We were looking to fight for the party. We’re allowed to have fights. But when you go in with a team, you normally consult with a team before you make your final decision.’

The report notes that the deal was brokered by Governor Murphy’s team, Jones, and Middlesex County Dems’ Chairman Kevin McCabe.

Chairman Currie and Jones released the following statement formally announcing the deal:

New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chairman John Currie and Essex County Democratic Chairman LeRoy Jones, Jr., are announcing an agreement that has been reached regarding the future leadership of the state party. Chairman Jones is endorsing Chairman Currie and Vice Chair Peg Schaffer in the upcoming election for a new term leading the party. That term will expire in June of 2021, and Chairman Currie will support Chairman Jones to succeed him in the position at that time, with Vice Chair Schaffer as his running mate.

“I am extremely proud of the strides our party has made in recent years, working closely with Governor Murphy to help Democrats win up and down the ballot and throughout the state,” said Chairman Currie. “I’m glad that Chairman Jones, who I have long considered a friend, recognizes that progress. The fact that I will have the opportunity to continue leading our party forward for a new term that will include hugely consequential moments like the 2020 Democratic National Convention, the Presidential Election, the beginning of Governor Murphy’s re-election campaign and important state, county and local elections is incredibly exciting. Following that I look forward to passing the torch to Chairman Jones, and I have great confidence that he will continue the important work we are doing to make our Democratic Party an ever greater force for positive change.”

The Democratic State Committee reorganization meeting and the formal election for state party chair will be held on January 11th, 2020. Further information will be released in the coming weeks. 

“Throughout this process I have maintained my friendship with Chairman Currie and I consider him to be an example of exactly the kind of leader our party needs,” said Chairman Jones. “I have worked hard to build our party for my entire adult life, starting in my local community as an activist and elected official and later leading the Essex County Democrats at a time when we have consistently produced more votes for statewide Democratic candidates than any other county. I look forward to working closely with Chairman Currie and Chairwoman Schaffer to continue the growth we have seen in our Democratic party, to elect Democrats up and down the ballot in 2020, and to see Phil Murphy and Shelia Oliver re-elected in 2021.