Election 2025: Key Issues Shaping the Race for County Commissioner
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, the race for Bergen County Commissioner is heating up as incumbent Democrats Tom Sullivan, Mary Amoroso, and Germaine Ortiz face a strong challenge from Republicans Jay Costa, John Dinice, and Andrea Slowikowski. As the county’s legislative body, the Commissioners’ board—a seven-member group serving staggered three-year terms—holds the power to approve all major county contracts and set local policy.
Candidates recently weighed in on several high-stakes issues affecting the county, from the ongoing fight over Sunday retail to preparation for the global FIFA World Cup 2026. Here is a breakdown of where the competing slates stand on the biggest topics.
1. The Battle Over Bergen County Blue Laws
The long-standing Blue Laws, which restrict Sunday retail, have become a flashpoint, particularly with the ongoing legal battle involving the American Dream mall and the Borough of Paramus.
🔵 Democratic Stance (Sullivan, Amoroso, Ortiz):
- Support: The incumbents “unequivocally support maintaining the blue laws.”
- Enforcement Role: They argue the county’s role is to seek clarification from the Attorney General on enforcement authority at American Dream (which sits on state property). They “would strongly support our county sheriff enforcing compliance” if state officials grant the necessary authority.
🔴 Republican Stance (Costa, Dinice, Slowikowski):
- Condemnation: The challengers accuse the incumbent Democrats of “avoiding responsibility” and allowing the troubled American Dream project to “work around the Blue Laws” for revenue.
- Call to Action: They insist the county has the power to act now and should immediately use its “legal and police enforcement powers to stop Triple Five from ignoring county law,” citing the laws’ mandate to protect residents’ quality of life. They promise to enforce the laws if elected.
2. The 2026 FIFA World Cup: Opportunity vs. Cost
The excitement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to the Meadowlands raises questions about the county’s preparation and potential benefit.
🔵 Democratic Stance:
- Optimistic View: “We are so excited to host what we will be a truly historic global event.”
- Plans: They are focused on safety and security, making key infrastructure improvements (for traffic and pedestrian flow), and maximizing economic potential through watch parties, promoting local businesses, and coordinating with cultural organizations and embassies. They see it as a chance to drive tourism and elevate Bergen County’s profile.
🔴 Republican Stance:
- Skepticism: They fear the event will be a “bust” for Bergen County taxpayers, similar to the 2014 Super Bowl, with most economic benefit flowing to Manhattan.
- Concerns: They highlight the lack of a Bergen County representative on the host committee, massive state expenditure (over $200 million), and the unaffordability of tickets for average residents. They believe the event is largely a showcase for “wealthy executives and celebrities.”
3. The Future of Bergen County Fire Service
County Executive James Tedesco has launched a survey on fire services, prompting debate over the possibility of regionalization or a new county-level service like the successful Bergen EMS.
🔵 Democratic Stance:
- Support for Dialogue: They welcome the survey, stating it’s “important to us all that are enough active first responders.”
- Model: They cite the success of Bergen EMS (over 18,500 calls in three years) as proof that the county can explore effective ways to assist first responders and ensure public safety.
🔴 Republican Stance:
- Strong Opposition to County Department: They fear creating an “expensive and expansive department” that burdens taxpayers and expands political patronage.
- Solution: They support municipal-led regionalization for smaller towns and believe the county’s efforts should focus on a public information media campaign to encourage volunteerism, rather than spending tens of millions on paid fire departments.
4. Pedestrian Safety and Infrastructure
A recent pedestrian tragedy in Oakland has put the spotlight on county road safety, crosswalk visibility, and traffic calming measures.
🔵 Democratic Stance:
- Active Measures: They are working with local communities to lower speed limits, install traffic calming devices, and increase enforcement.
- Future Plan: They are developing a countywide Local Safety Action Plan to identify and secure funding for the most pressing safety needs across all county roads.
🔴 Republican Stance:
- Blame Incumbents: They accuse the Democrat Commissioners of “lack of attention” to crucial issues, arguing they prioritize “dreaming up new ways to spend public money” on projects like a new clubhouse or winter events over public safety. They suggest the Oakland issue is symptomatic of broader long-term neglect.
5. Proposed Cell Tower in Ramapo Reservation
Environmental groups have loudly protested any discussion of a private partnership to build a 500 ft. cell phone tower in the protected Ramapo Reservation.
🔵 Democratic Stance:
- Due Diligence: They stress they have not approved or authorized the tower and are currently “doing our due diligence.”
- Priorities: They assert that “Protecting public safety, public health, and the environment will always be among our top priorities,” citing investments in protecting open space and upgrading facilities for energy efficiency.
🔴 Republican Stance:
- Unequivocal Opposition: They deem the Reservation the “wrong time and the wrong place” for such a structure, supporting environmentalists who seek to preserve the area’s solitude.
- Accusation: They invite environmental groups to join them in investigating the current administration’s “abuse of the county’s so-called open space trust fund.”
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We should have county level police, fire and school districts. These town by town departments are wasteful and inefficient.
If structured right there will be better service and streamline ed administration. How many police captains do we need for $200k?
it sounds logical. but the unions who ‘own’ the trenton politicians would require more ‘brass’ for each district so it won’t save anything