Democrats to square off in Wayne primary for chance to challenge mayor
WAYNE — A pair of Democrats will vie for the party nomination to run for mayor in one of the only contested primary elections in Passaic County on June 10.
James Freeswick, 75, is facing Donald Pavlak Jr., 64, the Board of Education president and the candidate endorsed by party leaders. The winner will challenge Republican Mayor Christopher Vergano in a general election on Nov. 4.
Vergano, 66, is finishing his fourth four-year term. He is uncontested in the GOP primary.
The contested race pits two men who each possess a desire to serve the community, although Pavlak has enjoyed much more success at the polls. The retired police sergeant has never lost an election, while Freeswick has come up short in seven attempts. This marks his third bid for the mayor's office.
But just to participate in the process, Freeswick said, is a token victory.
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'I believe in American democracy,' said Freeswick, whose foray into politics began when he was elected as the first Student Council president of Wayne Hills High School nearly 60 years ago.
'I don't take it personally when I lose an election,' he added. 'It's the way it is — the voters get to decide.'
Freeswick may have a better shot to win this primary, he said, because Gov. Phil Murphy signed a new law on March 6 to overhaul the ballot design, obliterating a county-line system that was viewed as unfair to non-endorsed candidates. The controversial change was precipitated by a federal lawsuit filed last year by then-Rep. Andy Kim, a Democrat who has since succeeded Bob Menéndez as senator.
'It can't hurt,' Freeswick said of his more conspicuous ballot position. 'It certainly can't hurt — it's certainly more equitable.'
Pavlak, meanwhile, said he is relying on his reputation as a straight shooter. He said he models his honest approach after his late father, who was the police chief here until retiring in September 1999.
Story continues below photo gallery.
'I always prided myself on telling the truth,' said Pavlak, now in his seventh term on the school board. 'Whether you like it or don't like it, you're going to hear the truth out of my mouth.'
Freeswick and Pavlak expressed similar attitudes toward promoting the local economy, repairing crumbling infrastructure and stabilizing the tax base.
Their opinions varied significantly on affordable housing.
Pavlak said he would explore ideas to satisfy the state mandate that do not involve private development. He stopped short of suggesting that he would recommend the formation of a public housing authority.
'The vision I have is to keep Wayne the community that it is and to not make it a vertical community,' said Pavlak, a 1979 graduate of DePaul Catholic High School. 'Every option should be on the table. We have used the same playbook for 20-plus years, and it's not working.'
Freeswick attacked his opponent's plan to address the issue, calling it 'very vague.' He said he is opposed to public housing and that if elected, he would adopt the method used by the current administration — settling site by site with for-profit builders.
'That's the way municipalities in New Jersey have complied with their Mount Laurel quotas,' Freeswick said. 'That's the best path to follow.'
Three at-large seats on the Township Council are also up for grabs, and the Democrat and Republican slates are uncontested in their respective primaries. Council members Jill Sasso and David Varano, both Republicans finishing their second terms, did not seek reelection.
The county's only other contested primary is happening in Wanaque, where Borough Council President Edward Leonard and Councilman Dominick Cortellessa are being challenged by Republican Angela Demetriou.
In-person early voting begins on June 3 at 10 a.m., a week before the date of the primaries.
Philip DeVencentis is a reporter for NorthJersey.com. For access to the most important news in your community, subscribe or activate your digital account.
Email: devencentis@northjersey.com
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Wayne NJ Democrats vie to challenge mayor in 2025 election
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