Woodcliff Lake Mayor Carlos Rendo has endorsed the two incumbents and withdrawn his quest for the Republican nomination for State Assembly in the 39th district, citing the need for party unity.
Due to Rendo’s withdrawal, Assemblymen Bob Auth (R-Old Tappan) and John Azzariti, Jr. (R-Saddle River) and former congressional candidate Frank Pallotta, an investment banker, will compete in a three-way primary.
Encouraged by people who valued my public service, I entered the contest. As the 2017 candidate for lieutenant governor and with my experience serving a third term as mayor, I think I am in a unique position, Rendo stated. I’m certain that I would have prevailed in a competitive primary.
Over the past eight days, Ward Donigian of Mahwah Council and John Kurpis of Saddle River Council have also withdrawn from the race.
Something bigger is at stake in this election, not me. unity of the party. Republicans in Bergen County have a chance to turn this state red, but if we stay split, we won’t be able to achieve it, Rendo stated.
He said, “Let’s go and make New Jersey and Bergen County great again.”
Pallotta declared that he would not run at the Bergen County Republican convention, which does not use a county border anymore, next month.
Pallotta declared, “I cannot in good conscience take part in an outdated and archaic convention process that can drag on for months, taking tens of thousands of dollars and vital resources away from what really matters, direct voter engagement.” The families, employees, and small business owners that contribute to the strength of our community are deprived of every minute that is spent wooing a select group of political insiders.
