‘On election day I’m an optimist’
PBA GETS OUT THE VOTE
NJ General Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto stood in front of a
room at Biagio’s Ristorante in Paramus filled with Bergen County
PBA members on Election Day, knowing they were raring to hit the
streets to encourage residents to vote.
NJ Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (center) at the Bergen County
Election Day Rally with (from left), Bergen County Conference Chairman
Joe Biamonte, Bergen County Political Action Committee Chairman Charlie Schwartz, NJ State PBA President Pat Colligan and Executive Vice-President Marc Kovar.
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NOVEMBER 2015
“The law enforcement profession has a different shelf life
than most others and we have to take care of you,” he told
them. “So when it comes to pensions and doing what we
should have been doing all along, I’m going to be there for you.
When (Gov. Christie and Republicans) started changing the
game after it started, I would have none of it. That’s why I need
candidates like these to keep a majority and expand to a vetoproof majority.”
Prieto, referencing PBA-endorsed candidates including
Assemblymen Joseph Lagana and Tim Eustace (38th District)
who were also in attendance, thanked the PBA members’
efforts and commitment to electing Democrats that will support the membership.
“(A veto-proof majority) gives us the ability to do what we
need to do and not get shot down,” Prieto elaborated. “There
are things that everybody votes for but still, for whatever his
reason, the governor will still shoot down. Suddenly you have
120 people who think something is the right thing and then one
person says it’s done. You need to have checks and balances.”
With hours remaining until polls closed, Prieto admitted his
excitement – not in the least unaided by the energy in the room:
“I’m a realist in life – but on Election Day I’m an optimist,” he
said. “I’m optimistic that we’re getting seats. It’s a gorgeous day
and I’m feeling good.” d