Hudson County Republican Leader Pavel Sokolov Elected Vice Chair of the New Jersey GOP Amid Growing GOP Momentum in Deep-Blue Hudson County

HOBOKEN, NJ — Pavel Sokolov, chair of the Hoboken Republican Committee and Hudson County GOP state committeeman, was elected vice chair of the New Jersey Republican Party (NJGOP) on Monday evening in a vote by the party’s state committee members. Sokolov’s election comes as the NJGOP leadership team — including newly elected Chairwoman Christine Giordano Hanlon — positions itself to expand Republican influence statewide and build organizational strength in traditionally Democratic areas like Hudson County. 

In the vice chair election, Sokolov defeated his opponent with a vote of 30-12, succeeding the former vice chair, Darlene Shotmeyer. The Hudson County Republican Committee officially celebrated both Sokolov’s and Hanlon’s leadership roles and highlighted their shared goals of mobilizing Republican voters, strengthening grassroots efforts, and supporting GOP candidates across New Jersey. 

Expanding Republican Organization and Outreach

In remarks after his election, Sokolov expressed enthusiasm for working with county and state Republican committees to grow the party’s presence and effectiveness. Party leaders and activists have emphasized the importance of fundraising, volunteer recruitment, phone banking, and coordinated door-to-door outreach — efforts aimed at increasing Republican engagement in areas where the party has historically struggled to compete. 

Hudson County Political Landscape: A Historic Democratic Stronghold

For decades, Hudson County has been one of New Jersey’s most reliably Democratic regions. Since at least the mid-20th century, the Democratic Party and its county organization have dominated local and countywide contests — including county commission seats, state legislative races, and other elected offices. Democrats have held a commanding advantage in voter registration in Hudson County compared with Republicans, contributing to the Democratic Party’s near-complete control over local governance. Independent historical voting data shows that Hudson County has had overwhelming Democratic registration and election results for many years.

This longstanding pattern also applied to the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office — a position historically held by Democratic leaders for well over a century. Republicans seldom mounted viable campaigns for sheriff or other major county offices because Democratic candidates routinely won by large margins. The sheriff election history prior to 2025 shows continuous Democratic occupancy of that office.

Break in Tradition: Sheriff Frank Schillari Switches Parties

In 2025, Hudson County witnessed an unusual shift when Hudson County Sheriff Frank X. Schillari, who had been first elected as a Democrat in 2010 and served five terms, switched his party affiliation to the Republican Party after losing the Democratic primary for re-nomination. 

Schillari’s party switch — a rare break from the county’s Democratic tradition — was widely covered in local political reporting. After his primary loss to Democratic nominee Jimmy Davis, Schillari was welcomed by Republican leaders and formally became a Republican before his term ended. 

Following the switch, Schillari endorsed several Republican candidates, including:

Republican candidate for State Assembly Marco Navarro — a Hudson County native and first responder — in the Bergen County-based 37th Legislative District and a growing republican figure in Bergen County and Hudson County. 

Republican nominee for New Jersey Governor Jack Ciattarelli, reflecting his alignment with GOP leadership at the state level. Public social and party posts confirm Ciattarelli’s and Schillari’s joint campaign appearances. 

Republican nominee for Hudson County Sheriff Elvis Alvarez during the 2025 general election cycle. 

The Republican nominees for State Assembly in LD33.

Although Schillari’s party switch was historic, the 2025 general election ultimately returned the sheriff’s office to Democratic control: Davis was elected Hudson County Sheriff with about 72% of the vote, while Republican Elvis Alvarez received about 24%. Schillari served out his term as a Republican following the switch. 

Republicans in Hudson County: Challenges Ahead and Growing Influence

Republicans in Hudson County face considerable structural challenges. The county’s deeply rooted Democratic infrastructure, strong voter registration advantage, and long history of Democratic dominance across local and county offices have made Republicans a minority party in the region for generations. Historical data underscores Hudson County’s status as a Democratic stronghold in both local and statewide elections.

However, recent events — like Sokolov’s rise to statewide GOP leadership and Schillari’s party switch and endorsements — suggest that Republicans are increasing their organizational presence and political activity in Hudson County. Strengthening Republican competitiveness will require strategic focus on:

Expanded grassroots outreach and voter engagement through consistent door-to-door canvassing, phone banking, and community presence. Recruitment and support of credible local candidates with strong ties to Hudson County communities. Clear communication of policy priorities that resonate with diverse voters in the region.

While Republicans still have substantial work ahead to become a consistent electoral force in Hudson County, the incremental gains and broader party leadership roles now held by local Republicans signal momentum that did not exist a decade ago.