Some in Hispanic community believe Democrats should field a Latino candidate
View from the gallery of the Assembly Chamber at the Statehouse in this March 2010 file photo.TRENTON — Hudson County Democrats have tapped Jersey City police detective Sean Connors to run for Assembly in the 33rd Legislative district, according to three Hudson County Democratic sources.
But some in the Hispanic community believe Democrats should field a Latino candidate instead.
Connors, a member of the Jersey City school board who ran unsuccessfully for state Senate four years ago and has often been talked about as a candidate for elected office, could not immediately be reached for comment.
The sources did not want to speak publicly in advance of a formal announcement Thursday.
Christian Estevez, vice president of the Latino Action Network, said he’s heard Connors is being lined up for the job.
“We’ve been trying to send the message that we believe that seats should be a Latino seat,” he said.
Conners would run in a district with state Sen. Brian Stack (D-Hudson) and Assemblyman Ruben Ramos (D-Hudson). Their other running mate, Assemblywoman Caridad Rodriguez (D-Hudson), is no longer in their district under the new map adopted Sunday.
Estevez said his group would weigh a legal challenge based on the Voting Rights Act, since it would essentially be replacing a Hispanic incumbent.
“We’d definitely have the lawyers look into that. We’ll definitely be weighing that option,” he said.
But if the slates falling are still together and win in November, the number of Hispanic lawmakers from Hudson County will remain the same, since in neighboring District 32 Democrats have tapped West New York Board of Education Vice President Angelica Maria Jimenez to run for Assembly.
By Matt Friedman and Jarrett Renshaw/Statehouse Bureau
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