NJ primary election 2022: Democratic nomination for Haledon mayor pits former allies

Philip DeVencentis, NorthJersey.com
·2 min read

HALEDON — Former allies are set to square off in a primary contest next week to earn the Democratic nomination for mayor.

It will be a rare test for Mayor Domenick Stampone, 51, who has faced just one primary opponent during his tenure of 16 years.

His challenger, Michael Johnson, 45, a former councilman, had a falling-out with party leadership during the last of his three terms on the governing body. He declined a request for an interview.

The winner of the Democratic primary on June 7 will likely face Kenneth Pengitore, the former Republican mayor whom Stampone ousted in November 2006 to start his time in office. He is unopposed on the ballot.

VOTING Q&A: What you need to know to vote in the 2022 primary election

MISSING PERSON: Haledon man was spotted near a park on the night he vanished

TRENDING: What will COVID-19 look like this summer? Here's what models show

Stampone, an attorney and municipal prosecutor for Paterson, served on the Borough Council and Manchester Regional Board of Education before becoming mayor.

He said he wants voters to look to his track record.

"I'm very proud of my tenure," he said. "I think it shows I set out to do certain things and that I accomplished them."

Under his watch, the mayor said, the borough received more than $10 million in grants to help pay for upgrades to parks and recreation facilities, including Belmont Square, a hardscaped plaza and focal point of the business district on Tilt Street.

Michael Johnson, left, will challenge Haledon Mayor Domenick Stampone in a Democratic primary on June 7.
Michael Johnson, left, will challenge Haledon Mayor Domenick Stampone in a Democratic primary on June 7.

Stampone said his administration has also invested in "modern policing" by partnering with local school boards to station armed officers at Manchester Regional High School and the K-8 building on Henry Street.

If reelected, the mayor said, he wants to "put Haledon in a position where it can grow economically," specifically by planning for redevelopment of commercial buildings on Belmont Avenue.

In June 2010, Stampone defeated then-Councilman Domenico Fusco in a contested primary that also featured opposing slates of council candidates.

Philip DeVencentis is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: devencentis@northjersey.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Haledon NJ: Democratic primary for mayor matches ex-running mates