Supporters of good government in Englewood were gratified by the decisive victories in the recent Democratic Primary election of incumbent Council members Ken Rosenzweig in the First Ward and Scott Reddin in the Third Ward. These victories were achieved despite unprecedented levels of expenditure by the County Democratic machine in an effort to unseat them. It should be recognized, however, that, overall, the machine, reacting strongly to opposition, actually strengthened its position. County boss Joe Ferriero was overwhelmingly reelected to his post as Chair of the Bergen County Democratic Committee, despite opposition from "Real Bergen Democrats" led by District 37 Senator Loretta Weinberg. Even in Englewood, supporters of Ferriero gained four seats on the local Democratic Committee, and missed by one vote gaining its chairmanship.

Federal prosecutor Chris Christie has begun an investigation of Ferriero and his associates for corruption, but this is unlikely to shake their power any time soon. In the meantime, there are four political positions of importance to Englewood likely to be at stake in next year’s June Democratic Primary. These are: 1) Mayor, position currently held by Ferriero ally Michael Wildes, 2) Councilman-at-Large, position currently held by Gordon Johnson, and 3) two District 37 State Assembly seats, positions currently held by Weinberg allies Johnson and Valerie Vainieri Huttle. Ferriero, now riding high, is likely to make a major effort to win all four of these contests, and his opponents should be prepared for a fight.