Historic Shift: Sheriff Frank Schillari Endorses Republican Elvis Alvarez for Hudson County Sheriff

Hudson County witnessed a political turning point last night as Sheriff Frank X. Schillari, a lifelong Democrat and former pillar of the Hudson County Democratic Organization, made history by endorsing Republican nominee Elvis Alvarez for Hudson County Sheriff.

This endorsement not only solidifies Schillari’s full transition to the Republican Party but also represents a seismic shift in Hudson County politics — marking the first time in county history that a sitting sheriff has changed parties from Democrat to Republican. If Alvarez is victorious this November, he would become the first Republican Sheriff elected in Hudson County in over 100 years, forever changing the political landscape of one of New Jersey’s most traditionally Democratic counties.

From Democratic Stalwart to Republican Reformer

Frank Schillari’s decades of service have earned him broad respect across Hudson County. Beginning his career in law enforcement more than 40 years ago, Schillari rose through the ranks to become undersheriff in 1997 before being elected Sheriff in 2010. Over five consecutive terms, he became the longest-serving sheriff in Hudson County history, modernizing the department and emphasizing professionalism, integrity, and community service.

Schillari’s leadership brought expanded specialized units such as SWAT and K-9, introduced body-worn cameras for deputies, established 24/7 county park patrols, and ensured diversity within the ranks — transforming the Sheriff’s Office into one that reflects the community it serves.

But after losing the Democratic primary earlier this year, Sheriff Schillari made a bold decision. Disillusioned with the local Democratic establishment, he officially left the party, declaring that the system no longer represented the values of fairness and accountability it once did. His decision to join the Republican Party marked a defining break from Hudson County’s one-party dominance and set the stage for tonight’s historic endorsement.

A Series of Major Endorsements

Since his party switch, Sheriff Schillari has become a vocal supporter of Republican leadership in New Jersey, issuing three major endorsements:

First, Schillari endorsed Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli, praising his strong stance on restoring public safety, cutting red tape, and defending law enforcement officers across the state.

Second, he endorsed Republican State Assembly Candidate Marco D. Navarro of the 37th Legislative District — a Hudson County native, former U.S. Marine, and Hudson County first responder dedicated to fighting corruption and advancing term limits.

Third, and most historic, is tonight’s endorsement of Elvis Alvarez for Hudson County Sheriff, marking a full embrace of the Republican vision for law and order, reform, and accountability.

Sheriff Frank Schillari’s Full Remarks

At a packed event featuring Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli, Lieutenant Governor Jim Gannon, and other state GOP leaders, Sheriff Schillari took the stage to deliver emotional and historic remarks:

Sheriff Frank Schillari:

“Good Evening, I’m honored to be here to support Jack and his incredible team. The Lt. Governor Jim Gannon, a long-time friend of mine, a great Sheriff, and great people on his ticket — some of them are sitting here right now in this room — and he has a great ticket all over the state.

I’ve been in law enforcement for 40 years. I was a Democrat my whole life, and so was my family. This last election, the Democrats threw me to the curb, and I ran on Mayor Fulop’s ticket — nobody else wanted me — and I lost the election. After the election, I switched to Republican. The Democratic system is not working like it used to in our day when we were young growing up.

I believe Jack Ciattarelli will bring the state back to where it belongs. His team, himself, and Gannon are 1000% for law enforcement. You have to take the cuffs off the cops and let them do their jobs. Everybody’s out of jail — red tape, let them go to jail. You shoot somebody, you get a summons; you shoot them three times, you get a summons.

I was Undersheriff for 13 years, the longest-serving Sheriff in Hudson County history — five terms. Everybody in this room knows me. I worked with every mayor, every police chief, every town, and never had a problem in 28 years. Things change, so things happen for the best, and I am going to do everything I can to support this team and Jack Ciattarelli and everyone else — and Elvis — and it’s nothing to sneeze about, I got over 31,000 votes in this county because I was the Sheriff for all the people.

I diversified the Sheriff’s Office — it was never done before — I put the Sheriff’s Office on the map. This is not about me.

This is about the new generation. The Republicans have to fix the state. I’m proud that I switched over, but we have to bring it back to where it should be. And I’m going to do everything that I can, and get every vote I can get, all my friends for the Republican Party. And I am going to work with Elvis — I told him, I will have his back, whatever he needs — so I am honored to support you!”

Elvis Alvarez Responds

Visibly moved by the endorsement, Elvis Alvarez took the podium to thank Sheriff Schillari for his powerful show of support:

Elvis Alvarez:

“I am not usually a person that is lost for words, but I am right now. The endorsement from Sheriff Schillari is huge in so many ways. I have big shoes to fill.”

Alvarez went on to thank the Sheriff for his decades of service and his leadership, calling the endorsement “a moment that defines what public service truly means — standing for what’s right, not what’s politically convenient.”

A Defining Moment for Hudson County

Sheriff Frank Schillari’s endorsement of Elvis Alvarez marks a new chapter in Hudson County history — one that signals the rise of a new generation of leaders committed to law and order, integrity, and independence from political machines.

Together with Jack Ciattarelli and Marco Navarro, Schillari and Alvarez represent a growing Republican movement dedicated to fighting corruption, implementing term limits, restoring respect for law enforcement, and putting people before politics.

For the first time in over a century, Hudson County voters are witnessing a genuine political realignment — one built on courage, conviction, and a shared belief that New Jersey deserves better.

As Sheriff Schillari declared, this is “about the new generation.” And with his endorsement of Elvis Alvarez, that new generation has just gained a powerful ally.