Republican Candidate Marco Navarro Leads Charge Against Brian Stack’s Political Tactics — Media Fails to Give Credit

In a growing political controversy, Republican State Assembly Candidate Marco D. Navarro (D-37) has emerged as the first to publicly challenge Union City Mayor and State Senator Brian Stack over a controversial letter urging Republican voters in LD-33 to switch party affiliation to vote for Stack’s preferred Democratic Assembly candidates. Despite Navarro’s immediate and vocal condemnation, Hudson County media has largely ignored his leadership, instead spotlighting Assembly Candidate Katie Brennan (D-32) for a recent social media post criticizing Stack.

Navarro Was First to Speak Out

When Stack’s letter surfaced, Navarro wasted no time in condemning it as a blatant attempt to manipulate the electoral process. “Brian Stack’s letter is a textbook example of why we need term limits,” Navarro said. “Career politicians have been gaming the system for decades, and it’s time to put an end to it.”

In the letter, Stack asked Republican voters to temporarily switch parties and vote for his handpicked Democratic Assembly candidates, Gabriel Rodriguez and Larry Wainstein, in the upcoming June primary. Stack even promised to assist voters in switching back to Republican registration after the primary. Navarro immediately pointed out that such tactics are designed to protect political control, not serve the interests of voters.

“Let’s be clear — the only political boss in Hudson County is Brian Stack,” Navarro stated. “This isn’t about fairness, it’s about preserving his grip on power and ensuring that his political machine stays intact.”

Navarro Calls for State Investigation

Taking his criticism a step further, Navarro called on the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) and the state Division of Elections to investigate Stack’s tactics. Navarro argued that the letter is part of a larger pattern of questionable political behavior by Stack and his operation in Hudson County.

“This isn’t the first time Brian Stack has crossed the line,” Navarro said. “We’ve seen this kind of manipulation before — from sending letters to voters demanding to know why they didn’t support him, to using voter trailers and pressuring residents to come out and vote.”

There have been reports of volunteers knocking on doors and encouraging residents to vote, raising concerns about voter coercion. Navarro also pointed to long-standing allegations of irregularities involving voters registered at the 39th Street Cemetery — an issue that the Hudson County Election Office has seemingly ignored.

“The Hudson County Election Office has turned a blind eye to these tactics for years,” Navarro said. “It’s time for real oversight and accountability.”

Media Bias and Lack of Recognition

Despite being the first candidate to address the issue, Navarro has received little credit from local media. Instead, news coverage has focused on Assembly Camdidate Katie Brennan’s recent social media post where she criticized Stack’s letter. Brennan’s post, while critical of Stack, was made well after Navarro had already issued a public statement and called for a state investigation.

“The media’s coverage is disappointing but not surprising,” Navarro said. “When you challenge the political machine in Hudson County, they try to silence you. But I’m not backing down. Voters deserve to know the truth.”

The Hudson County Republican Organization has even criticized Stack in their social media post stating Republicans have their own candidates to vote for in the election.

A vast amount of comments from the public, criticizing Stack has been posted in the comments of the articles of Hudpost and Hudson County View.

A Pattern of Political Manipulation

Navarro pointed out that Stack’s letter is part of a broader pattern of political control in Hudson County. Stack has been known to send follow-up letters to voters who didn’t support him, asking them to explain why they didn’t vote for him. This has raised concerns about voter intimidation and political overreach.

“The fact that Brian Stack thinks it’s acceptable to demand answers from voters about how they vote is outrageous,” Navarro said. “Voters have a right to make their decisions without fear of retribution from political bosses.”

Navarro also highlighted Stack’s long history of using voter trailers — temporary trailer units used to consolidate voter bases and create leverage in local elections. “Stack’s political machine has been built on direct voter influence,” Navarro explained. “This is not democracy — it’s political engineering.”

Navarro’s Plan for Reform

Navarro has made it clear that breaking political machines throughout the state is central to his campaign. If elected to the State Assembly, Navarro has promised to introduce legislation to establish term limits at all levels of government — from municipal offices to the State House in Trenton.

“Term limits will put an end to this kind of political manipulation,” Navarro said. “Politicians shouldn’t be able to build lifelong careers on the backs of voters. We need accountability, and that starts with capping how long anyone can serve.”

Story Still Developing

The controversy surrounding Stack’s letter and Navarro’s challenge continues to unfold. Navarro’s call for a state investigation could put pressure on ELEC and the Division of Elections to review Stack’s political practices. Whether state authorities take action or the Stack political machine continues to operate unchecked remains to be seen.

“While I am running for Assembly in a district outside of Hudson County, the issue with Brian Stack has statewide implications that affect the integrity of elections across New Jersey. This is precisely why I am committed to running for office — to fight for political reform that will benefit every district in the state and put an end to political manipulation.” Navarro said.

Navarro’s push for term limits and political reform has already defined his campaign and could resonate with voters frustrated by years of political maneuvering in multiple districts throughout the state. As the June primary approaches, this issue is likely to remain a focal point in the race.