Speziale Will Not Run For Passaic County Sheriff

Despite an overwhelming level of grassroots support from the law enforcement community and many friends and supporters, Paterson Police Director Jerry Speziale will not be a candidate in the Democratic Primary for Passaic County Sheriff.

Speziale has a legendary career in law enforcement reaching back to his days as an undercover DEA agent and is one of the most heralded public safety professionals in New Jersey history.

Ultimately, it was an outreach from Governor Phil Murphy’s team that convinced Speziale not to file the nearly 4,000 petition signatures supporters have already collected urging him to run for Sheriff, a position he held from 2002 to 2010.

“This is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made because law enforcement is my life and all I have ever wanted to be is the best cop I can be,” said Speziale.  “But the Democratic Party is also very important to me and the Governor has helped me realize that a divisive primary battle is the last thing that our Party and the people of Passaic County need right now.”

Speziale also thanked Democratic Chairman John Currie and Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh for “showing me the respect that I deserve and taking my potential candidacy seriously.”

“I am proud to continue to be part of the Mayor’s team because he is doing the very best job that he can for the people of our great City,” said Speziale.

“Finally, I want my supporters and the people who carried petitions on my behalf to know that I will never forget their friendship and that we will continue to work together to achieve great things in the future,” he added.

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