Two Cedar Grove Councilmen Running for State, County Office

Two Cedar Grove Councilmen have thrown their hats into the ring for elected office outside of Cedar Grove, the Essex County Clerk's Office confirmed today.

Councilman Joseph Chiusolo, a Republican, announced he is running for district 4 Essex County Freeholder on his Facebook page this morning.

In a subsequent interview, Chiusolo said he hopes to balance out the Democratic-dominated board.

"I'm running because we have a one-party system in Essex County right now that has no checks and balances," he said.

"There should be somebody there from an opposing party to ensure the checks and balances are in place and there are none."

Chiusolo said he would miss Cedar Grove if elected, and that his years on the governing body have been "very gratifying."

Chiusolo will face Democrat Leonard M. Luciano, of West Caldwell, a commissioner of the Essex County Utilities Authority, for a seat on the nine-member legislative body, which consists of four "at-large" members representing the county as a whole, and five district-specific seats.

The candidates' names will both appear on the ballots on the June 7 primary, but the men will likely be the only names appearing on the general election ballot on Nov. 8, unless an Independent files a petition to enter the race by 4 p.m. on the day of the primary, according to the County Clerk's Office.

District 4 includes Verona, Cedar Grove, North Caldwell, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Livingston, Millburn, Roseland, West Caldwell and West Orange.

Chiusolo previously mounted an unsuccessful bid for Essex County Executive against Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. in 2005.

Chiusolo owns Totowa- and Jersey City-based Turn Out Uniforms, which provides uniforms and protective gear for police, fire and other emergency personnel.

He was first elected to the Cedar Grove Council in 1997, and served three years as mayor.

The County Clerk's Office also confirmed Tuesday that Deputy Mayor John Zunic is running for State Senator in the 40th Legislative District.

Zunic, a Democrat, will challenge incumbent Senator Kevin O'Toole, a former State Assemblyman and three-time former mayor of Cedar Grove. O'Toole is the son of current Cedar Grove mayor, Robert O'Toole.

The 40th includes a dozen towns from Bergen, Essex and Passaic Counties.

Zunic is an attorney who serves as the municipal prosecutor for the Borough of Fairview. He was elected to his first term on the Council in 2009. He said he opted to run after being asked by Democratic organizations in Bergen and Essex Counties.

In an interview Tuesday, Zunic acknowledged the difficulty faced by a Democrat running in the largely-Republican 40th District, but believes the race will serve as a valuable learning opportunity, regardless of the outcome.

"I realize it's an uphill battle, but I think it will be a good experience for me. Win or lose, the knowledge and experience and contacts I make during the process should help make me a better councilman."