Sokolich to Host Barbecue Supporting Democratic Candidate Tedesco

Mayor Mark Sokolich will be hosting a $250-a-head barbeque at his residence tonight. The fundraiser is being held to raise campaign funds for Jim Tedesco.

Tedesco, a democrat and former mayor of Paramus is taking on incumbent Kathleen Donovan in the local county’s executive race that will take place in November.

Sokolich believes that allies of Gov. Chris Christie gridlocked Fort Lee with traffic for almost a week after he did not support the governor’s 2013 re-election bid.

Sokolich who is known to shy away from politics said that he was holding the fundraiser not due to the bridge incident but to support Tedesco, who has been his friend for 15 years.

Tedesco’s campaign also said the fundraiser was not a result of the bridge incident but it was an opportunity to remind the public about the outrage the incident now known an Bridgegate generated.

Campaign manager Michael Pagan said Mayor Sokolich fought for his residents as soon as lanes to the George Washington Bridge were shut down and Tedesco was quick to follow his lead.

Pagan also said that Kathe Donovan waited 127 days before commenting on the lane closures and did not offer Fort Lee officials support.

Donovan’s spokesperson Mark Campbell said that she condemned the closures.

Democrats expect 100 people to attend the event tonight