Bloomfield Mayor Hopefuls Campaign For Job; Council Decision Looms

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The race to fill a mayoral seat is building up serious steam in Bloomfield – and it’s not even an election year.

On Monday, the Bloomfield Township Council is expected to make a decision on a candidate to fill former mayor Michael Venezia’s unexpired term.

Venezia captured a seat in the New Jersey Assembly in November. He resigned from his post as Bloomfield mayor earlier this month, as required by law. See Related: Bloomfield Mayor Resigns, Begins New Post As NJ Assemblyman

Earlier this week, the Bloomfield Democratic Committee convened to consider nominations for the town’s vacant mayoral seat. They ultimately came up with three nominees to recommend to the Bloomfield Township Council: Jenny Mundell, the town’s First Ward councilor (41 votes), at-large council member Ted Gamble (16 votes), and Nicole Williams, a member of the local parking authority (two votes).

After Wednesday’s meeting, Venezia – the committee’s chair – issued a statement in support of Mundell.

“I urge the members of the township council to respect the clear majority opinion of the Bloomfield Democratic Committee and vote to appoint councilwoman Jenny Mundell as our next mayor,” the assemblyman said.

However, Gamble has since raised questions about the selection process, alleging that the meeting was marked with “unnecessary and unprecedented” motions – including the straw poll that may give Mundell a crucial edge in the race.

“I find the attempt to distort the process upsetting and the narrative put forward by my colleagues deceptive,” Gamble recently told Patch. See Related: Bloomfield Councilman Criticizes 'Deceptive' Mayoral Straw Poll

The council’s looming vote has incited an unexpected contest to succeed Venezia, with the former mayor, Mundell and Gamble each issuing statements on social media in the wake of Wednesday’s committee meeting.

Here’s what they had to say.

JENNY MUNDELL: ‘I AM BEYOND GRATEFUL’

[On Wednesday night], the Bloomfield Democratic Party supported me as their clear favorite and voted to put my name forth as their preferred nominee to become the next mayor of Bloomfield, New Jersey. I am beyond grateful for the support of the party and all who came out to cast their ballots in their capacity as elected district leaders representing Democrats throughout our town.

“By law, the committee must submit three names to the council and on Monday the council will appoint someone from that list to serve as the mayor until a special election can be held.

“Many of you have asked how you can support me right now…if you are a registered Democrat (or even just a fan of mine!), please consider coming to the council meeting on Monday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Building to speak at public comment and encourage the council, all of whom are elected Democrats who have benefited from the party’s support and leadership, to vote in alignment with their party’s choice (who would be the first woman to hold that office in our town’s history!)”

TED GAMBLE: ‘A NEW CHAPTER FOR BLOOMFIELD’

“Bloomfield needs new leadership that leaves old party politics in the past!

“Last night Chairman Venezia and Councilwoman Mundell tried to subvert the process of filling a vacancy of Mayor by holding a straw poll. There is no precedence for holding a straw poll to fill a vacancy in Bloomfield. I commend committee members who put forth motions multiple times and held the committee accountable to their legal obligation to present to the governing body the names of three (3) nominees for the selection of a successor to fill the vacancy. Ultimately, sound minds prevailed, and the Bloomfield Democratic Committee took a floor vote and unanimously moved 3 nominees (Ted Gamble, Jenny Mundell and Nicole Williams) forward to the township council fulfilling their legal obligation in the nomination process. I find the attempt to distort the process upsetting and the narrative put forward by my colleagues deceptive.

“There is no place for these games in local politics as they get in the way of getting the work done. As Mayor I will bring a fresh perspective and provide a transparent and collaborative alternative to my counterpart. I have a track record of collaborating with my council members as well as the county to get things done. Listening to residents and addressing their issues is priority #1 and I will do that by walking this township to listen to your concerns and address issues specific to your neighborhood.

“If you want a NEW chapter for Bloomfield, then show up to Monday's council meeting and share your support for me as the next Mayor of Bloomfield!”

MICHAEL VENEZIA: ‘AN OVERWHELMING MARGIN’

“Congrats to Jenny Mundell for winning the support of the Bloomfield Democratic County Committee.

“I’m deeply disappointed regarding the recent events following my resignation from office. In my final mayoral speech, I urged the council to preserve the relationships we had diligently built over the past few years with each other. I believed that our unity and mutual respect were our greatest strengths and pleaded to not let their egos get in the way by seeing my open seat as a personal opportunity. It is disheartening to observe that, just a mere week later, Ted Gamble has resorted to spreading misinformation directed at me and Jenny in an effort to ensure he wins an temporary title.

“All three candidates, as well as the entire county committee knew that as part of our process, each county committee member would have the opportunity to vote on behalf of their district for the next temporary mayor. I want to emphasize that regardless of who county committee voted for, I would have supported their decision and endorsed that candidate. My hope was that the election for the vacant temporary mayoral position would genuinely reflect the people. County committee members are elected to represent their districts, and their votes clearly indicated the preference of the community. Whoever it was would have had my support. In this case, it is Jenny by an overwhelming margin.

“All three candidates who expressed their desire to be temporary mayor will be submitted to the council for a vote on Monday. With six votes on the council, four are needed to determine the interim mayor. I maintain hope that my ex-council colleagues will ultimately choose to do the right thing and support the overwhelming majority of county committee, who cast their votes in alignment with the wishes of their constituents, and by a 41-16-2 margin voted for Jenny.

“In these challenging times, it is crucial to ensure that decisions are made with the best interests of the entire community in mind and not just personal agendas and egos. I trust that, despite these recent incredibly disappointing developments, my ex-colleagues will do the right thing for the people of Bloomfield on Monday.”

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