NEW JERSEY STATE AFL-CIO ENDORSES JIM SEVER FOR NORTH ARLINGTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.
North Arlington – Democratic Borough Council candidate Cengiz “Jim” Sever, a husband, homeowner, father and member of BAC Local #7 received the endorsement today of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor, Congress of Industrial Organizations).
A union employed tile installer; Sever is originally from Brooklyn, New York where he attended Lafayette HS.
As a journeyman tile installer with Local #7, he works with marble and allied craft workers in the New York tri-state area.
Sever has campaigned on issues such as ending rolling property-tax assessments, opposing overdevelopment along Ridge Road, and promoting what he describes as a more balanced two-party government in North Arlington.
Currently the council is dominated by all Republicans. No Democrat has served since 2019.
Republican incumbents Pronti, Bocchino and Karcic are raising municipal taxes while awarding themselves pay hikes for part-time elected positions once again in 2026.
They receive roughly $1,100 per month for attending a single council meeting.
“I’m a blue- collar working tradesman and I’m proud to receive the AFL-CIO’s backing. I look forward to offering residents a different point-of-view, an alternative to the policies of all Republicans all of the time,” said the candidate.
“Our team of John Balwierczak for mayor and Dennis Papile for council represent working class families; seniors and the notion North Arlington requires a vibrant discussion of the issues. I’m committed to that direction and retain our image as the gateway to Bergen County. Gentrification and urbanization is not what residents desire. They want to remain safe and suburban.”
The New Jersey State AFL-CIO is an umbrella group of unions representing more than 1 million working men and women and their families. The state federation is a charter organization of the national AFL-CIO, which represents more than 12.5 million workers across the country in a wide range of occupations, from bricklayers and machinists to nurses, firefighters and teachers.
The New Jersey State AFL-CIO is committed to representing the interests of all New Jersey union members and their families, whether by legislative and political work or through working with our affiliates in organizing and member mobilization.
Jim was one of just 41 municipal candidates to receive this coveted labor endorsement and one of just three candidates in all of Bergen County.