Hector and Alonso Denounce Menendez-Stack Machine, Call for Real Change in the 33rd District

NORTH BERGEN, NJ — Assembly candidates Tony Hector and Frank Alonso are doubling down on their rejection of the Menendez-Stack political machine, vowing to bring real, independent leadership to the 33rd Legislative District.

Hector and Alonso, running under the “Democrats for Change” banner, have made it clear that they want nothing to do with Congressman Rob Menendez, his disgraced father Bob Menendez, or the entrenched political establishment led by State Senator and Union City Mayor Brian Stack. While Rep. Menendez has officially endorsed the Hudson County Democratic Organization-backed slate, Hector and Alonso reject the idea that anyone needs Brian Stack’s permission to run for office in New Jersey.

A Broken System Held Together by Corruption

For years, Stack has operated as both a mayor and a state senator, a blatant violation of the spirit of New Jersey’s dual office-holding ban. Although grandfathered into his dual roles under a 2007 loophole, Stack’s consolidation of power has allowed him to control all three branches of government in Union City, turning what should be a democratic process into a personal communist regime.

“Brian Stack doesn’t run a city, he runs a machine,” Hector and Alonso said in a joint statement. “He controls the mayor’s office, he controls the city council, he controls the judiciary, and he uses all of it to keep himself and his allies in power. This is not democracy—it’s corruption, plain and simple.”

Despite years of scandals and backroom deals, Stack’s influence has gone largely unchecked. He wields his position as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee to protect his allies and ensure that no real oversight exists. Meanwhile, his handpicked candidates in the 33rd District are nothing more than political puppets, unable to make a move without his approval.

The Menendez Legacy: Corruption Runs in the Family

Adding to the dysfunction is the continued influence of the Menendez dynasty. Senator Bob Menendez, now a convicted felon, spent years enriching himself while in office, selling political favors for gold bars and luxury cars. Yet, despite his disgrace, his son, Rep. Rob Menendez, continues to hold office, attempting to keep the family’s grip on power alive.

“Hudson County deserves better than politicians who view public service as a business,” said Hector and Alonso. “The people of New Jersey have watched one Menendez go to prison. Do we really want to keep giving his son power to continue the same backroom deals and political games?”

Rob Menendez has proven to be nothing more than a rubber stamp for the same political bosses who have dominated the region for decades. His endorsement of Stack’s ticket in the 33rd is further proof that he is just another cog in the machine, ensuring that the status quo remains untouched.

A Campaign for the People, Not the Machine

Unlike their opponents, Hector and Alonso are running a campaign that is not controlled by political bosses. They don’t need Brian Stack’s blessing to run. They don’t need Rob Menendez’s endorsement. And they certainly don’t need to bow to the same corrupt system that has failed New Jersey residents for years.

“We are fighting for the people of the 33rd District, not the political insiders,” Hector and Alonso said. “It’s time to break free from the machine and give the voters a real choice—leaders who will work for them, not for a handful of power-hungry politicians.”

The Machine’s Allies and Conflicts of Interest

Hector and Alonso also criticized the broader network of political operatives and insiders who help keep the machine running, including controversial figures like Kevin O’Toole. Otley, whose law firm has a lucrative contract as Union City’s official legal counsel, has been the subject of growing scrutiny over clear conflicts of interest. O’Toole is also the chairman of the Port Authority, a former State Senator and a top political donor to Stack.

“The same firm that represents the city is also tasked with defending it against its own employees. That’s not public service—that’s political protectionism,” Hector and Alonso said. “This type of arrangement creates an impossible situation for city workers who deserve fair representation and accountability, not political shielding.”

O’Toole’s deep ties to the Stack political machine raise further concerns about transparency and ethical governance. His role exemplifies how the machine uses professional and political appointments to control every aspect of municipal operations—from legal matters to employee relations—while silencing dissent and whistleblowers.

A Bipartisan Call for Reform

Republican Assembly candidate Marco D. Navarro, running in District 37 and raised in Hudson County—primarily in Union City—has also been a strong and vocal critic of Brian Stack, the Menendez family, and the deeply entrenched political machine. Navarro has made government reform a central theme of his campaign, calling for strict term limits at every level of New Jersey government and an end to all grandfather clauses and loopholes that allow politicians to cling to power indefinitely.

Navarro’s message echoes that of Hector and Alonso: the time has come to dismantle the system of political protectionism and insider control that has stifled progress and accountability for decades.

As election season heats up, the battle lines have been drawn. On one side, there is the same old political machine, using its influence to maintain control. On the other, there is a real chance for change—one that Hector and Alonso are ready to deliver.