Incumbents, Newcomers Pull Papers For Bergen Co. Commissioner Election

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — The Bergen County Commissioner race is starting to heat up, with an incumbent, a recent appointment and two newcomers pulling nomination papers to run in the November election.

Democratic incumbent Joan Voss, who serves as chair pro tem, joins newly appointed Commissioner Rafael Marte (D-Bergenfield) to run against Republican challengers Agninshalah Collins and Mary Jo-Ann Guinchard.

Voss and Marte — appointed earlier this month to complete the unexpired term of former Commissioner Ramon Hache — are supported by the Democratic Committee of Bergen County, while Collins and Guinchard were endorsed by the Bergen County Republican Organization.

The candidates have filed to run for two of the at-large seats on the Board of Commissioners to serve three-year terms.

Marte was nominated by the Democratic Committee and sworn in to replace Hache, who resigned March 1 to accept appointment as CEO of Ridgewood YMCA, Patch reported.

Collins and Guinchard, who are expected to kick off their campaign Thursday evening, are running under the slogan: "Strength Through Unity".

Bergen County Commissioners are the county's legislators, giving advice and consent to the actions of the county executive.

The Board's powers include abilities to adopt administrative code; pass ordinances and resolutions; review, modify and adopt budgets; and contract with municipalities.