Breaking News
Union City Veteran Kevin Hernandez Becomes First Democrat to Announce Challenge to Rep. Rob Menendez
November 11, 2025 – Union City, New Jersey A 27-year-old Union City native and military reservist, Kevin Hernandez, has announced his intention to…
November 11, 2025 – Union City, New Jersey
A 27-year-old Union City native and military reservist, Kevin Hernandez, has announced his intention to challenge U.S. Representative Rob Menendez Jr. in the 2026 Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District. The announcement marks the first publicly reported Democratic challenge to the incumbent, according to Hudson TV.
Hernandez, a graduate of Union City High School and Rutgers–Newark, previously ran for Hudson County Freeholder (now Commissioner) in 2020. He currently serves as a military truck driver and reservist and plans to attend the Dallas Police Academy later this month. Hernandez stated that if elected to Congress, he would forgo a law enforcement career in Texas and return home to serve the people of northern New Jersey.
“I’m focused on policies that help working families, veterans, and small business owners,” Hernandez told Hudson TV. “My campaign will be about ideas and accountability, not personal attacks.”
Policy Positions and Platform
In his announcement, Hernandez emphasized an approach that blends pragmatic progressivism with traditional values. His stated priorities include:
Restoring the Gateway Tunnel project to strengthen New Jersey’s transit infrastructure. Confronting pharmaceutical interests to lower prescription drug prices. Enforcing immigration laws and securing the border, which Hernandez acknowledged may draw criticism within his own party. Maintaining focus on public service and integrity, rather than exploiting the federal corruption case involving Senator Bob Menendez, the incumbent’s father.
Hudson County’s Political Machine and a Changing Era
For decades, Hudson County politics has been dominated by an entrenched political machine known for consolidating power among a small circle of insiders. Critics argue that this long-standing control has fostered a culture of favoritism, greed, and corruption, most recently underscored by the criminal conviction of former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez on federal bribery and corruption charges.
While Representative Rob Menendez Jr., the senator’s son, has not been accused of any wrongdoing, the shadow of his father’s scandal looms over Hudson County politics. Hernandez’s candidacy reflects growing frustration among many residents who say they are tired of seeing the same names and the same politics repeated generation after generation.
“Politics should never be treated as a family heirloom,” one Union City resident told Hudson TV. “Public service is an opportunity for ordinary Americans to step up and represent their communities—not something that should be passed down like property or title.”
Hernandez’s emergence signals that new candidates are stepping forward—people seeking to break from the political machine and re-center the conversation around integrity, service, and reform.
Context and Verification
At present, Hernandez’s candidacy has only been reported by Hudson TV, a local outlet based in Hudson County. As of publication, no FEC (Federal Election Commission) filings or state election disclosures have yet been made public under Hernandez’s name.
Major political outlets such as The New Jersey Globe, New Jersey Monitor, and Politico NJ have not yet covered the announcement.
Political observers note that Rep. Rob Menendez Jr., first elected in 2022, faces mounting pressure from within his own party following his father’s conviction and the broader public demand for change in Hudson County politics.
If Hernandez formally files with the FEC, he would become the first official challenger to enter the 2026 Democratic primary for NJ-08.
About the 8th Congressional District
New Jersey’s 8th District covers much of Hudson County, including Union City, Hoboken, West New York, and parts of Newark and Elizabeth. The district remains heavily Democratic, making the primary election effectively decisive in determining its next representative.
Sources:
Hudson TV — “First Democratic Challenger to Rep. Rob Menendez Announces Candidacy” (November 2025)
Hudson County View archives (2020 candidate records)
Federal Election Commission (FEC.gov – candidate filings database)
New Jersey Globe and New Jersey Monitor (background on NJ-08 and Rep. Rob Menendez Jr.)
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Breaking News
THE DETAILS! EXPLOSIVE LAWSUIT BOMBSHELL DETAILS OF THE MASSIVE SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDAL IN Corrupt MAYOR BRIAN STACK’s UNION CITY, NJ SCHOOLS!
A total of 50+ teachers and administrators so far have been accused of sexually assaulting Union City, NJ students and covering up for the sexual repetitive teachers AND Leroy Truth has the list.
UNION CITY, NJ MAYOR AND SENATOR BRIAN STACK SILENT BUT ALLEGEDLY SET-UP INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST | LEROY TRUTH INVESTIGATIONS THE MASSIVE SEX SCANDAL
Leroy Truth was ARRESTED AND FALSELY CHARGED with a false felony of aggravated assault against a police officer which did not happen which video proves however, Leroy Truth was still arrested and and sent to Hudson County Jail where he is fighting these false charges presently.
Of important note, Leroy Truth started investigating and massive allegations corruption against Union City, NJ Mayer who is also simultaneously in New Jersey State Senator Brian stack on December 1, 2024, Mayor Brian Saga has had over 31 false criminal charges put against Leroy Truth in an attempt to stop him from continuing his investigation and reporting.
However, Leroy Truth cannot be stopped cannot be bought cannot be intimidated and he has committed to protecting the children of Union City, NJ Bayonne, NJ and the children of the United States of America from sexual predator teachers and any and all sexual predators.
Of extremely important note: 28 out of the 31 false charges have been completely dismissed which had been brought against Leroy Truth with three more still pending.
This is exactly what dictators do in Cuba and Russia and North Korea however, that is allegedly exactly what corrupt Union City, NJ Mayer and NJ State Senator in NJ Senator judiciary committee Brian Stack is doing to try to stop Leroy Truth from exposing these extreme crimes against children!
CAUGHT IN A NIGHTMARE OF MASSIVE TEACHER SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST A MINOR STUDENT — FULL DETAILS STRAIGHT FROM THE COURT COMPLAINT!
A total of OVER 50 Union City, NJ teachers AND ADMINISTRATORS so far have been accused of sexually assaulting Union City, NJ students WERE COVERING UP FOR THE SEXUAL COMPETITOR TEACHERS AND Leroy Truth has the list.
A LEROY TRUTH INVESTIGATIONS EXCLUSIVE!
SHOCKING TWIST! MAYOR BRIAN STACK HAD LEROY TRUTH ARRESTED FOR INVESTIGATING AND REPORTING ON THE SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS if you’re trying to protect the Union City, NJ School children from the alleged sexual predators!
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EXTREMELY IMPORTANT NOTE: MAYOR BRIAN STACK HAS TARGETED Independent Investigative Journalist Leroy Truth to try to stop Leroy from protecting the unit city, NJ school children and trying to stop Leroy Truth from continuing to investigate and report on these extremely disturbing allegations against Union City, NJ teachers!
Union City, NJ Mayor and Senator Brian Stack, in an attempt to STOP Leroy Truth from continuing to investigate and report on these extremely disturbing allegations, had Leroy Truth arrested and falsely charged with a felony of aggravated assault against a police officer which did NOT happen.
Leroy Truth was Live-streaming on his YouTube channel when he was arrested and falsely charged with crimes he did NOT commit and LEROY TRUTH HAS VIDEO PROOF that there was absolutely no assault against the Union City Police officer as EVERYTHING was recorded by Leroy Truth as it was happening.
Leroy Truth is looking at five years in state prison if found guilty of a crime he did NOT commit For simply doing his job as an investigative journalist.
Also, Leroy Truth knows what these electric victims as he is also a sexual assault survivor and was sexually assaulted by a Catholic priest for four years when he was an altar boy starting at the age of 7 years old.
A grand jury in Hudson County is scheduled to convene on March 30th, 2026 to decide if they will INDICT Leroy Truth an innocent man who was arrested and falsely charged for trying to protect the Union City, NJ school children from sexual predator teachers.
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Read the EXTREMELY DISTURBING details BELOW OF EXACTLY WHAT THE UNION CITY, NJ TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS ARE ACCUSED OF directly from the lawsuit!
Why every single one of these teachers has not been immediately suspended and why Union City, NJ Mayor and Senator Brian Stack, the Union City Board of Education and Superintendent Sylvia ABBATO have not done an immediate press conference about these extremely serious and disturbing allegations is absolutely insane!
If you are a parent of a Union City, NJ STUDENT, are you comfortable sending YOUR children to school???
A brave 34-year-old survivor, G.R., has filed a powerful civil lawsuit in Superior Court of New Jersey (Bergen County) against the Union City School District, Union City Board of Education, and multiple Emerson High School (now Union City High School) staff.
She was 16 years old when the grooming and abuse began in WHILE A STUDENT AT UNION CITY, NEW JERSEY SCHOOL’S in 2008.
Francisco Lindo already pled guilty to 2nd-degree endangering the welfare of a child and served 5 years in prison.
But the complaint accuses MANY MORE Union City TEACHERS and ADMINISTRATORS of participating, enabling, harassing, or covering it up while the school did NOTHING.
Here is an ITEMIZED BREAKDOWN of EVERY SINGLE TEACHER & ADMINISTRATOR and EVERY ACCUSATION against them — pulled directly from the Lawsuit Complaint:
FRANCISCO LINDO – Math Teacher Groomed, sexually abused, and assaulted the minor plaintiff starting ~2008. Sent her romantic Spanish songs, made her stay after school to “grade papers,” sat next to her in class and touched her leg, had sexual intercourse with her inside Emerson High School classrooms (multiple times, including the week of June 22, 2008), texted her to meet in classrooms for sex during school hours, sent naked and suggestive pictures, followed and stalked her around school when she tried to stop, continued the sexual relationship outside school, bragged to other staff that he had a sexual relationship with her, and created an environment of fear and exploitation. Plaintiff personally told the nurse’s clerk Eugenia Vallejo; Lindo was arrested and pled guilty.
Note: everything written below are allegations and no statements of fact are being made here. All information in this Facebook post has been taken directly from the lawsuit filed by Union City, NJ former student known only as G.R.
EDWIN MARINEZ – Assistant Principal allegedly made sexual advances toward the minor plaintiff.
Became hostile and retaliatory toward her when his advances were rejected and after Lindo was arrested for abusing her.
Engaged in inappropriate and predatory behavior. Participated in creating an environment of fear, harassment, and exploitation.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Union City, NJ assistant principal EDWIN MARINEZ married one of his students as soon as she turned 18 which the student shared directly to Leroy Truth in his Facebook comments.
EDWIN MARINEZ has also been accused of having sexual relationships with numerous Union City, NJ students as well as allegedly threatening some of them who said no to his advances if they told anyone.
EDWIN MARINEZ is also accused of exposing hisHudson County Prosecutor’s OfficeNorth Bergen Police DepartmentnMikie SherrilleGovernor Mikie SherrilltMike RodriguezhLea DeMarations ranging from at least 1994 to 2017.
According to alleged victims of EDWIN MARINEZ including Union City Emerson High School graduates Jonathon Almeida and Michael Torres and others, according to the alleged victims, they claim that EDWIN MARINEZ would gather all of the football players into a huddle and then say things like, “ Who wants to see my dick?
And they claim Coach Edwin MARINEZ would “whip his dick out “and show the children and then whoever he caught looking at it, he would allegedlylabel them the “gay kid for the day “and then the other kids would make fun of the children who EDWIN MARINEZ would “CATCH LOOKING AT HIS DICK”. These are quotes from the alleged victims.
STEVE HANAK – Teacher allegedly Lifted up the minor plaintiff’s shirt and made sexually charged comments about her body after learning she had a sexual relationship with Lindo. On or around October 12, 2008, plaintiff personally informed him about Lindo’s grooming and abuse — he did nothing.
Openly discussed with other staff “what he would do if he had the chance to have sex with” the minor plaintiff. Failed to take any action after plaintiff emailed him alerting him to the sexually explicit misconduct happening in school.
Also engaged in inappropriate and predatory behavior, made further sexual advances, groomed, sexually harassed, and assaulted the minor plaintiff.
MARK RYAN – English Teacher allegedly Secretly recorded a video on his camera between the minor plaintiff’s legs during a school presentation and shared it with other staff members (Lindo told plaintiff it upset him because he wanted her exclusively).
Plaintiff emailed him directly alerting him to the “sexually explicit instances” occurring in Emerson High School — he took zero action.
Openly discussed with other staff “what he would do if he had the chance to have sex with” the minor plaintiff. Also engaged in inappropriate and predatory behavior, made further sexual advances, groomed, sexually harassed, and assaulted the minor plaintiff.
DENNIS MCMULLEN – Teacher allegedly Told the minor plaintiff he had erectile dysfunction and that “she could help him with that issue.”
Engaged in inappropriate and predatory behavior toward the minor plaintiff. Made further sexual advances, groomed, sexually harassed, and assaulted her. Participated in creating an environment of fear, harassment, and exploitation.
CRAIG LAPIERRE – Teacher allegedly Pursued his own sexual relationship with the minor plaintiff after he knew she had already been groomed, harassed, and assaulted by Lindo. Engaged in inappropriate and predatory behavior.
Made further sexual advances, groomed, sexually harassed, and assaulted the minor plaintiff. Participated in creating an environment of fear, harassment, and exploitation.
GREG CAMPBELL – Teacher allegedly Openly discussed with other staff “what he would do if he had the chance to have sex with” the minor plaintiff. Engaged in inappropriate and predatory behavior.
Made further sexual advances, groomed, sexually harassed, and assaulted the minor plaintiff. Participated in creating an environment of fear, harassment, and exploitation.
GEORGE MORALES – Teacher Openly allegedly discussed with other staff “what he would do if he had the chance to have sex with” the minor plaintiff. Engaged in inappropriate and predatory behavior. Made further sexual advances, groomed, sexually harassed, and assaulted the minor plaintiff.
Participated in creating an environment of fear, harassment, and exploitation.
ROBERT FAZIO – Principal As principal during the entire period of abuse, he allegedly knew or should have known about the constant sexual grooming, contact, harassment, and assaults happening inside his school (including classrooms during school hours) yet failed to investigate, stop it, protect the student, report it, or take any action whatsoever.
The superintendent of Union City Schools has been ALSO been implicated in this lawsuit though he has not been named.
UNION CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT & UNION CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION Knew or should have known about everything above, failed to supervise, failed to report under NJ mandatory child-abuse laws, created and condoned a culture that tolerated teacher-student sexual relationships, concealed evidence, took no reasonable safeguards, allowed the abuse to continue for years, and even made their own sexually explicit videos of the minor plaintiff for their gratification.
The lawsuit is brought under the NJ Childhood Sexual Abuse Act and demands massive compensatory + punitive damages. The survivor says the trauma destroyed her mental health, trust, relationships, education — she had to flee to Florida to escape the targeting and gossip at college.
WHY HAVEN’T THESE TEACHERS BEEN SUSPENDED? WHY IS MAYOR BRIAN STACK COMPLETELY SILENT ON THIS HORROR? Union City parents — this is happening in YOUR schools. Share this post far and wide. Demand immediate suspensions. Demand answers. Demand justice for every child!
Got Tips Of ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND/OR INDECENT EXPOSURE AND/OR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT OF HUDSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S LIEUTENANT MATT FEDROW, HUDSON COUNTY SHERIFF JIMMY DAVIS, Union City, NJ Assistant Principal and Teacher EDWIN MARINEZ and/or Corruption by Mayor/Senator Brian P. Stack? Call or Text The Leroy Truth Investigations CORRUPTION TIPS HOTLINE at: 305-707-8325 or Email: LeroyTruth247@gmail.com Or Mail Me Directly at: Leroy Truth P.O. Box 3464 Stamford, Ct 06905
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TAKE ACTION NOW — PROTECT THE CHILDREN
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FBI TIP LINE — REPORT IMMEDIATELY
1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) https://tips.fbi.gov
If you have ANY information — CALL THE FBI NOW Your voice could STOP ABUSE & SAVE A CHILD
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LEROY TRUTH INVESTIGATIONS — CORRUPTION TIPS HOTLINE
GOT TIPS OF ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND/OR INDECENT EXPOSURE AND/OR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT OF HUDSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S LIEUTENANT MATT FEDROW, HUDSON COUNTY SHERIFF JIMMY DAVIS, UNION CITY, NJ ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AND TEACHER EDWIN MARINEZ AND/OR CORRUPTION BY MAYOR/SENATOR BRIAN P. STACK?
CALL OR TEXT NOW: 305-707-8325 EMAIL: LeroyTruth247@gmail.com MAIL: Leroy Truth P.O. Box 3464 Stamford, CT 06905
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DO NOT STAY SILENT — SPEAK UP — REPORT — PROTECT THE CHILDREN
YOUR TIP COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING
#UnionCityNJ #SchoolAbuseScandal #TeacherMisconduct #ProtectOurKids #JusticeForGR #UnionCitySchools #BergenCountyLawsuit #EndChildAbuse #DemandActionNow
Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office North Bergen Police Department Mikie Sherrill Governor Mikie Sherrill Mike Rodriguez Lea DeMaraCLUSIVE!
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Breaking News
OUTRAGE IN UNION CITY: Parents Demand Answers After 7-Year-Old Child Reportedly Walks Out of School Alone
Parents across Union City are expressing anger and demanding answers after a disturbing incident at Sara Gilmore School involving a first-grade student who reportedly left the school building alone during the school day.
According to an email reportedly sent to staff, a 7-year-old first-grade student remained behind briefly after lunch to finish eating. The email states that the child later attempted to return to class alone, became confused, and ultimately exited the building through an exterior door before reportedly being located safely.
For many parents, the explanation only raised more questions.
Because parents are now asking one simple thing:
How does a 7-year-old child walk out of a school building during school hours without an adult immediately noticing?
Parents say this is not a small procedural issue.
They say this is a major student safety failure.
This child could have become lost, injured, struck by a vehicle, abducted, or placed in a dangerous situation. Parents say the outcome could have easily been much worse.
Now criticism is growing toward the Union City Board of Education, school administration, and Mayor Brian Stack.
Many parents say they are tired of hearing explanations after something happens instead of seeing systems already in place to prevent incidents like this.
According to the reported staff email, the district immediately changed procedures and now requires children who remain behind after lunch to be escorted by an adult rather than traveling alone.
Parents are now asking an obvious question:
Why wasn’t that policy already in place?
Community groups and parents have also raised broader concerns regarding staffing, supervision, school safety, and security operations across the district.
According to claims circulating from concerned parent groups, questions are being raised regarding whether schools have enough administrative support, whether teachers are receiving adequate assistance, and whether school security procedures are being properly enforced.
Additional allegations from concerned community members include claims involving security staffing quality, building supervision concerns, and allegations that politics and patronage may influence hiring practices. Those allegations remain claims made by parents and community sources and have not been independently established.
Still, parents say the bigger issue is trust.
Because they believe this incident exposed a serious failure.
Parents are now asking:
🚨 Why was a first grader traveling alone?
🚨 Who was supervising the lunchroom?
🚨 Why was an exterior door accessible?
🚨 Where was school security?
🚨 How many security personnel were assigned?
🚨 What is Superintendent Sylvia Abbato doing?
🚨 What is the Union City Board of Education doing?
🚨 What is Mayor Brian Stack doing?
Many parents say they are demanding public answers rather than silence.
Because luck is not a security plan.
And parents say protecting children should come before politics, image, or damage control.
This child made it home safely.
Parents say next time another child may not be as lucky.

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Breaking News
Union City’s Federal Audit Raises Bigger Questions Nobody Wants to Answer
The recent federal audit involving Union City should concern every taxpayer and resident. City officials may try to downplay it and call it paperwork mistakes or technical issues, but many people are looking at this and asking a much bigger question:
How many times can there be problems before people stop calling them mistakes?
The federal audit reviewed two Union City police technology grants funded through the U.S. Department of Justice and examined how taxpayer money was being used and managed. Auditors found problems involving procurement procedures, missing documentation, oversight failures, and compliance issues that resulted in nearly $1.7 million in questioned or unsupported costs. The review also found concerns involving policies, reporting practices, and issues affecting certain police surveillance equipment funded through the grants.
That should not be brushed aside.
For years, many people throughout Hudson County have questioned how politics operates in Union City. Critics have raised concerns about political favoritism, insider relationships, and a system where power seems heavily controlled by a small circle around Mayor Brian Stack.
Again and again, people hear the same complaints:
The same people stay in control.
The same people seem connected.
The same questions keep coming up.
And the same answers never seem to come.
Residents are left wondering whether this federal audit only looked at one small piece of a much larger picture.
Many people now believe investigators should have expanded their review into other areas of city operations. Because when concerns continue surfacing over the years, people naturally start asking whether there are deeper problems underneath the surface.
People begin asking questions like:
Who gets special treatment?
Who gets opportunities?
Who gets protected?
Who is benefiting?
And who is actually watching the people in charge?
people are tired of hearing officials dismiss every concern as politics, misunderstandings, or minor mistakes.
At some point, residents stop seeing isolated incidents.
They start seeing patterns.
And when people start seeing patterns, trust disappears.
Union City residents deserve transparency, accountability, and honest answers. Public officials work for the people — not the other way around.
The federal audit may be finished.
But many residents feel the real investigation should have just begun.
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