On Thursday, April 12, a press conference was held at Bergen County Democratic Headquarters. The purpose of the press conference was to announce that the BCDO would drop its challengers and endorse the incumbent slate of Loretta Weinberg, Valerie Huttle and Gordon Johnson. Governor Corzine brokered this deal, and appeared at the press conference with the candidates and Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joseph Ferriero.

The following is a statement from labor and progressive organizations who had thrown their early support behind Weinberg's slate, despite the primary challenge:

From the very beginning of this fight we have all been driven by a simple, but compelling idea: that people, ideas and issues matter more than the old politics of pursuing power and influence as an end to itself. 

That is why we won this battle.  That is why this victory is so important.  And we are not yet done.

This campaign saw the heart and soul of the Democratic Party and its allies stand together in an unyielding coalition of the inspired.  From labor organizations representing thousands of hard working women and men to progressive groups representing environmentalists, civil rights advocates, consumers and other grass and net roots groups to local Democratic elected officials and volunteers, this fight brought together people all across this district, this county and this state. 

Our strength was not in the contributions we could bundle nor in the contracts we controlled; our strength is in the people we can muster to talk to other voters, our strength is in the hard work we can pour into a campaign and our strength is that the candidates we supported had the respect of the voters they serve.

Loretta Weinberg, Gordon Johnson and Valerie Vainieri Huttle share our values.  More than sharing those values, Loretta, Gordon and Valerie have put those values to work as our legislators.

This victory clearly demonstrates that business as usual in Bergen County Democratic insider politics must change.  That it is time to open the back room door to let in some fresh air.

We welcome the leadership of the Bergen County Democratic Organization to recognize those lessons so that we can move forward to concentrate on the issues and causes that can change people's lives for the better.

Signed:

Charles Mattson, President, Bergen County Central Trades and Labor Council

Paul Eisenman, Bergen Grassroots

Juan Melli, Blue Jersey

Marcia Marley, Blue Wave NJ

Bob Master, Legislative Director, Communications Workers of America, District One

Steven Goldstein, Garden State Equality

Ann Twomey, President, Health Professionals and Allied Employees/AFT/AFL-CIO

Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, Exec. Director, New Jersey Citizen Action

Pedro Rivas, President, NJ ACORN

Amy Goldsmith, State Director, NJ Environmental Federation

Jeff Gardner and Rosi Efthim, NJ for Democracy

David McCann, Exec Director SEIU NJ State Council

Patricia Campos, Director UNITE HERE NJ State Council