Bergen Co. Executive James Tedesco Is Running For Re-election

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — County Executive James Tedesco III announced his candidacy for reelection Monday.

Tedesco, a Democrat, is seeking another four-year term the county's highest elected office.

Tedesco has overseen the adoption of a $15 minimum wage for full-time county workers, made enhancements to the parks system and helped oversee the management transition at Bergen Regional Medical Center, which is now New Bridge Medical Center.

During Tedesco's tenure, Bergen County was recognized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as the first New Jersey county to end homelessness among veterans and the first in the United States to end chronic homelessness.

Tedesco also signed a deal that merged the Bergen County Police Department and the Bergen County Sheriff's Office. Twenty-six officers were laid off as a result.

Tedesco, 64, served on the Paramus Borough Council from 2000 to 2002 and then two terms as mayor. He has volunteered with the Paramus Fire Department for 40 years. He was elected to the Freeholder Board in 2013. He defeated incumbent Kathleen Donovan to win the executive post in 2014.

Governor Phil Murphy, Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez, Reps. Bill Pascrell (NJ-08) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) attended Tedesco's candidacy announcement Monday morning.

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Photo: Bergen County Executive James Tedesco/Official Bergen County photo