Big Win for HCDO in Democratic Primaries

Democratic Assemblyman Ruben Ramos Jr. easily defended his assembly seat on Tuesday, while Councilman Ravi Bhalla lost his first bid for state office.

Ramos' running mate, Sean Connors—a Jersey City school board member— won a second assembly seat. Both Ramos and Connors were endorsed by the Hudson County Democratic Organization. 

Bhalla, who won less votes than expected—3,000 versus 13,000 votes each for Ramos and Connors —admitted defeat around 10 p.m. Tuesday, thanking his staff, his family and his wife after a battle for a seat in the 33rd Legislative District. In the middle of his speech, he stepped off the podium to hug his brother.

"This is just the beginning," Bhalla said. "Believe me, this is just the beginning."

At Ramos' headquarters on 11th and Washington Streets, the incumbent assemblyman said he was excited about his win.  "It's always a test of your record. We have a good record," Ramos told Patch in a brief interview. "We want to build on that."

Ramos said he is looking forward to moving ahead on measures to restore state funding for education and women's healthcare and to invest in infrastructure - particularly in Hudson County.

"We're going to keep fighting the good fight in Trenton," Ramos said. "District-wide, we're feeling pretty good."

Hobokenites also chose their representatives for Democratic committee seats. After a contentious battle, the "Real Democrats for Hoboken" (lead and endorsed by Ramos) took 38 seats, while the "Democrats for Honest Government" (endorsed by Mayor Dawn Zimmer), won 31 seats. There were a few remaining ties as of Tuesday night.

Last year, Zimmer won the majority of the Hoboken Democratic Party. Bhalla currently serves as chairman, but the defeat of Democrats for Honest Government, could change that. The reorganization meeting, which will determine the new chairman, will take place on Monday.

Zimmer congratulated Bhalla Tuesday night at Room84. "You ran an amazing race," she said. "We are the new Democrats ... we are rising up."

Bhalla said he ran "an honest campaign," and urged his fellow reform party members to attend next Monday's reorganization meeting.

Meanwhile, uptown at Ramos' victory party at Liberty Bar and Grill, he said, "We are a team, that's what it's all about."

Joined by other candidates—including Hudson County Freeholder Anthony Romano—he celebrated his win, receiving hugs and drinks from supporters and friends. 

Ramos' win, particularly combined with a potential majority on the Hoboken Democratic committee, could bode well for his rumored 2013 mayoral run. 

Earlier in the day, with about an hour and a half until the polls closed, both Hoboken candidates for assembly were working hard to get the vote out in the 33rd district. 

Near the uptown ferry stop, blue shirts from both Bhalla's and Ramos' campaign mingled with the crowd of white button down shirts coming from work.

Commuters were addressed with a friendly, "Vote column C!" or "Vote column A!" Most Hobokenites kept their headphones on and responded with a friendly nod. 

New Jersey Democratic Party Chairman John Wisniewski joined Ramos for some campaigning by the ferry stop around 5 p.m., as did Council President Beth Mason.

Although there was not a lot of street activity in Hoboken on Tuesday morning, Ramos and Bhalla seemed energized and optimistic as they cast their votes..

"We're hoping for a high turn out in our favor," Ramos said outside his polling place on 220 Adams Street. Optimistically, he added, that the turn out was "pretty good."

"It's higher than usual," Ramos said.

In uptown Hoboken, at the polling place at 13th and Washington Streets, Bhalla cast his vote around 9:45 on Tuesday morning. He was the 45th to vote in his district today.

"We've done our work," Bhalla said after casting his vote. "We've given people a choice."

Bhalla has said that he thinks the Hudson County Democratic Organization is not transparent enough.

"No matter what the outcome," Bhalla said, "we've already won."

Editor's note: Katie Colaneri contributed reporting.