Bergen County Democratic Chairman
As Bergen County Democratic Chairman, Ferriero created the Bergen County African American Democratic Conference to encourage diversity in the party, and was instrumental in electing one of the first African-American legislators in Bergen County. He was also an early supporter of Vernon Walton, the county's first ever African-American freeholder.
Critics have noted that Ferriero's position as County Chairman gave him extensive power to select hundreds of employees in county government and to award no-bid contracts, many of whom have been involved in pay to play, receiving contracts in exchange for contributions.
Ferriero has had a long-running feud with State Senator Loretta Weinberg, who has stood steadfastly independent from Ferriero's organization. In 2007, Ferriero endorsed a ticket of Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes for Senate, and Cid Wilson and Ken Zisa for Assembly, to face off in a primary challenge against incumbents Weinberg, and her Assembly running mates Valerie Huttle and Gordon M. Johnson. In the face of flagging poll figures for his slate, an April 2007 deal was brokered by Governor of New Jersey Jon Corzine, in which Ferriero pulled his three candidates off the ballot and agreed that he and the county party organization would support Weinberg and her running mates.
He also championed the Latin American Democratic Association (LADA) to encourage Hispanic participation in the Bergen County Democratic Party. LADA and Ferriero were influential in later electing Thomas Padia as freeholder and supporting him for Freeholder Director. Padia was the first Hispanic to serve as Freeholder Director in the county's history.
Read more about this topic: Joe Ferriero
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