Woodland Park Mayor Keith Kazmark and Elmwood Park Mayor Robert Colletti

As the Passaic GOP held their convention tonight just a few miles away, Passaic County Democrats – and some Bergen and Morris ones too – partied at Westmount Country Club as Woodland Park Mayor Keith Kazmark kicked-off his re-election with a no-holds barred event that attracted over 250 people and raised over $25,000.

Kazmark ran for Clerk against Kristin Corrado (who beat out Paul DiGaetano tonight for the LD40 Senate line in Passaic) in 2009 on the PCDO line and narrowly lost.  A casualty of the Christie-Corzine gubernatorial battle that swept Republicans into power in Passaic (for three years at least), there’s no hint of hurt feelings.  “Kristin and I became good friends after the Clerk’s race,” Kazmark told InsiderNJ.  “She’s been a good Clerk, and I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”

In the end, it couldn’t have worked out better for the two.  As Corrado seeks the LD40 Senate seat – of which Woodland Park is a part – Kazmark, often mentioned as a contender for higher office, is locally laser-focused as he seeks re-election for the third time since taking over from now-Freeholder Pat Lepore.

He was introduced by long-time mentor, Chairman John Currie.  “You have an outstanding leader,” said Currie.  “I’ve worked with Keith since he was a college student.  This is a celebration of the past, but also of the future with Keith as Mayor, and I’m pleased to see this outstanding crowd.  Woodland Park will continue to be in the best of hands.”

Kazmark, the municipal clerk in nearby Elmwood Park,  took the podium and outlined the progress he says Woodland Park has made under his tenure.  After thanking his family and running mates, he said “we have continued economic growth and have new businesses.  We’ve brought in $22 million in new ratables while keeping the quality of life for Woodland Park residents.”

The crowd ate it up.

As former-foe-turned-friend Corrado appears to have the edge for the Senate seat (for now), at least in Passaic, Kazmark is already in full campaign mode.

“We’re ready to go.  We’re already knocking on doors and have collected hundreds of petition signatures, and we’re going to keep collecting signatures until filing day,” Kazmark told Insider NJ.  “I love this job and the opportunity to serve Woodland Park.”