Spiller’s Campaign Video Gets Sharp Rebuke From Ex-Montclair Mayor

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A former Montclair mayor is blasting another former mayor, accusing his gubernatorial campaign team of using a photo of the two of them without permission.

Bob Russo says that he was shocked to see a shot of himself and Sean Spiller in a recent television ad for Spiller’s campaign to replace Phil Murphy as the next governor of New Jersey.

The ad briefly shows a still photograph of Spiller with Russo standing at his side, both of them smiling.

Russo said he “would never endorse Sean Spiller because of his poor record as former Montclair mayor.” The photo suggests that he does – and it’s dishonest, Russo claims.

According to a statement from Russo:

“As a former Montclair mayor, I once considered a run for New Jersey governor myself. All of the current Democratic candidates, except for one, are my friends. I have worked closely with the two mayors of our major cities and with our outstanding congresswoman, Mikie Sherrill, while I served 24 years on our Montclair [Town] Council. I would never endorse Sean Spiller because of his poor record as former Montclair mayor. He has exaggerated his accomplishments and taken credit for numerous achievements, such as rent control, which was originally initiated by current Mayor Dr. Renee Baskerville and myself several years ago. The council majority, not Spiller alone, passed all legislation under Montclair’s ‘weak mayor’ system.”

“This same dishonest distortion of the truth is represented in Spiller’s current TV ad, where he uses an unauthorized photo with me from many years past, implying an endorsement of his candidacy for governor,” Russo continued.

“I have not supported him, nor will I ever, and have demanded that his staff remove my picture from any campaign advertisements,” he said.

Russo, who also served on the town council for more than two decades, said he reached out to Spiller and his campaign team, demanding that the photo be removed – which it has been, Montclair Local reported.

The photographer who took the photo, Armando Diaz, also told Montclair Local he didn’t give permission for its use. A spokesperson with the New Jersey Education Association – where Spiller currently serves as president – said the ad is paid for by Working New Jersey and not in coordination with Spiller’s governor campaign.

According to Working New Jersey’s website – which advocates for Spiller’s gubernatorial campaign – its posts are “not made with the cooperation or prior consent of, or in consultation with or at the request or suggestion of, any candidate, or any person or committee acting on behalf of any candidate.”

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