Democrats pick Bergenfield councilman to fill vacancy on Bergen County commissioners board
A Democratic councilman from Bergenfield will be sworn in as a Bergen County commissioner Wednesday night, filling a vacancy on the governing body for almost 1 million residents.
Rafael Marte will serve until Dec. 31, taking on the unexpired term left by former Commissioner Ramon Hache, a Democrat who resigned last week to lead the Ridgewood YMCA as its chief executive officer.
Marte was selected as Hache's replacement at the Democratic Committee of Bergen County convention on March 9. He faced no opposition.
Marte, 59, is a retired case manager who formerly worked for the Westchester County Department of Social Services in White Plains, New York. He called becoming a Bergen County commissioner and serving the county's people the "honor of a lifetime."
"I am grateful that Bergen County Democrats have put their faith in me, and I’m excited to be part of a team that’s so dedicated to making a difference in people’s lives," Marte said shortly after being selected. "Working together, we can accomplish great things and build an even stronger future for Bergen County families.”
His first meeting in his new role will take place Wednesday, following his swearing in.
Watch the replay: Bergen County St. Patrick's Day Parade hits the streets of Bergenfield
In Bergenfield, Marte first served as a councilman in 2013, when he was selected to fill a council vacancy but later lost his election bid for a full term. He was selected to fill another vacancy in 2017 and later that year won his first full term of his own. He was reelected in 2020.
Marte was honored by Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco last June for his public service and in honor of Caribbean Heritage Month.
Tedesco and all seven members of the county Board of Commissioners are Democrats.
Editor's Note: The story has been updated to reflect the date of Rafael Marte's swearing-in will be March 15.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Bergen County commissioners: Rafael Marte of Bergenfield fills vacancy
