the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, Bergen County Executive James Tedesco is gearing up for a 2026 reelection fight, announcing his bid for a fourth term on September 4, 2025, with a staggering $400,000 already raised. The Democratic heavyweight, who’s held the county’s top job since 2015, is touting his record while critics slam his spending as reckless. With Bergen County’s political landscape heating up, Tedesco’s campaign is a high-stakes battle for New Jersey’s most populous county. Here’s why this race matters and what’s at stake in 2026!
Tedesco’s Big Bet: $400K and a Fourth Term
At a glitzy Paramus fundraiser on September 4, 2025, James Tedesco, Bergen County’s Democratic County Executive, declared his run for a fourth term in 2026. The former Paramus mayor and 50-year volunteer firefighter has amassed nearly $400,000 in campaign funds, including a hefty $95,347 from the New Jersey Democratic State Committee. His war chest signals a fierce campaign to maintain Democratic dominance in Bergen County, a political juggernaut with a population larger than eight U.S. states.
Tedesco’s pitch? “We’ve made Bergen County the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” he boasted, citing public safety, education, and fiscal responsibility. But Republicans are firing back, accusing him of overseeing “the biggest spending spree and the most wasteful budgets in county history.” With the 2026 election looming, the battle lines are drawn.
Tedesco’s Record: Triumphs or Overspending?
Since taking office in 2015, Tedesco has championed initiatives like:
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A countywide emergency medical team handling 18,000+ calls in its first 2.5 years.
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The first Age-Friendly Task Force in NJ to support seniors.
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Infrastructure upgrades for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at MetLife Stadium.
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Plans for workforce housing for educators and first responders.
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A new Career Innovation High School to boost education.
He also touts Bergen’s AAA bond rating and recognition as the ninth-safest county in the U.S. But the Bergen County Republican Organization isn’t buying it, slamming Tedesco for prioritizing politics over governance. “Taxpayers deserve focus on governing, not reelection,” their statement read. With no Republican victories on the county’s Board of Commissioners since 2013, the GOP faces an uphill battle.
The Democratic Machine: Tedesco and Allies
Tedesco isn’t running alone. He’s joined by Democratic Commissioners Mary Amoroso, Germaine Ortiz, and Tom Sullivan, all seeking reelection against GOP challengers Jeffrey Costa Jr., John Dinice, and Andrea Slowikowski. Paul Juliano, chairman of the Democratic Committee of Bergen County, called Tedesco “the most successful county executive in Bergen’s history,” praising his work ethic and vision.
But critics argue this Democratic stronghold—holding every countywide office, including clerk, sheriff, and surrogate—has led to unchecked spending. Tedesco’s 2022 landslide win (55% against Republican Todd Caliguire) shows his grip on voters, but GOP hopefuls see 2026 as a chance to capitalize on taxpayer frustration.
Why Bergen County Is NJ’s Political Battleground
Ciattarelli, a Republican gubernatorial hopeful endorsed by Garfield’s mayor, called Bergen County the “road to statewide victory.” Its massive voter base makes it a kingmaker in NJ elections. Tedesco’s early fundraising and high-profile announcement signal he’s not taking this lightly. If reelected, he’ll tie Republican Pat Schuber’s record as the longest-serving county executive (12 years, 1991–2003).
Upcoming projects, like workforce housing and FIFA World Cup preparations, could bolster Tedesco’s case—or fuel GOP attacks if costs spiral. Voters will decide whether his vision for affordability and safety outweighs concerns about bloated budgets.
How to Stay Informed and Get Involved
The 2026 election is shaping up as a clash of visions for Bergen County. Residents can:
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Follow the Race: Check northjersey.com or Bergen County’s official website for updates.
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Engage Locally: Attend county meetings or contact officials at 201-336-6000 to voice concerns.
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Track Campaign Funds: Visit NJ’s election records for transparency on Tedesco’s $395,279 war chest.
Will Tedesco’s Democratic machine steamroll the competition, or can Republicans seize on voter discontent? Bergen County’s future hangs in the balance.
Source: Adapted from NorthJersey.com and NJ election campaign records.
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He just won’t go away…
If you think that something wait to see what’s going on in the village, by the end of the year, we are a rumor that a few top bras are leaving and management. So it’s time to shuffle a few people around. They should hire from the outside.
Proofread, please.
This is going to be interesting. They lost all the Alzheimer’s with the experience, these new young kids think they’re hot shots, they’re not talk about lazy. And our management knows this. They like young new blood so they can mold them and control them like a puppet. It’s not about being strong tough knowledgeable anymore.
They need him to straighten up ridgewood.
Hey, the guys doing an amazing job with BERGEN County. I don’t give a shit how much money he makes. If you look at a good majority of the county properties from before and after it’s night and day. Nobody can deny that. Yes the guy is everywhere. Who cares, at least he works. Not hiding behind a desk. I remember BERGEN County 35 years ago. Everything was in disrepair. Look at everything now pretty damn good shape. Yes there’s some roads that need to be repaired. The guy loves his job.
Some roads?? How about all the country roads. They all SUCK. Hit a depressed manhole lately? Yeah, it is a county road, guaranteed.
💋
They are all depressed never seen a happy one.