US Rep. Nellie Pou to campaign with Mayoral Candidate John Balwierczak Saturday!
First female Latina House Member from New Jersey to canvass with Team Balwierczak!
NORTH ARLINGTON – United States Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-9), is joining North Arlington mayoral candidate John Balwierczak Saturday for some canvassing and door-to-door campaigning as Democrats have the political wind at their backs in what is shaping up to be a “wave” election nationally and potentially locally as well. 
Bergen County Democratic Chair Paul Juliano told the locals that the environment for a big win can lead to Democrats winning in traditional red municipalities like North Arlington, Wallington and Carlstadt where Republicans currently hold every council seat.
Juliano compared it to the 1974 Watergate landslide where Democrats overwhelmed Republicans in wake of the Nixon scandals.
Locally, Democrats have not won since 2016, ironically when Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton. The last Democrat to serve was attorney Mark Yampaglia who left the council in January of 2020.
Most observers believe that Democrats are united locally, and Balwierczak has the support of former mayors Ed Martone (1979-1983) and Peter C. Massa (2007-2015). Balwierczak also has the support of former council members Yampaglia, Al Granell, Patrick Roche, and Thomas Zammatore.
Balwierczak is emphasizing the overdevelopment of Ridge Road with unbridled apartment construction, higher property taxes, the use of rolling reassessments and crime and safety concerns in lieu of the double homicide murders on Ridge Road and the federal raid of a Belleville Pike business known as The Peak, which has closed due to its involvement in narcotics.
“This mayor loves overdevelopment, decreased parking, increased traffic and higher property taxes. He dismisses the public safety threat of a double homicide and refused to comment on the drug raid by the Feds on the Pike. He awards himself raises and calls for forty units of senior housing in a flood zone. His dictatorial rule of North Arlington has ended competitive elections and the time for Democrats back on the governing body is now more than ever before,” offered the lifelong resident and homeowner.
Balwierczak reminded voters that even if Democrats prevailed, Republicans would still have a majority.
“We need political balance, someone watching for taxpayers. A healthy discussion of the issues versus a monologue by Dan that everything is just fine. I can work with the remaining Republicans and create a healthy bipartisan coalition to keep NA small, safe, suburban and most of all affordable.”
Balwierczak also noted that his team has been endorsed by the Bergen County Central Trades & Labor Council, AFL-CIO.
“We are the voice of working families and most of all, seniors. Not MAGA Dan Pronti.”
“I am proud to have the endorsement of Rep. Pou and I will work with her for real solutions like cleaning up our Passaic River waterfront and ensuring North Arlington remains small, safe, suburban and most of all, affordable.”
Nellie Pou is U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s 9th Congressional District since January 2025. She previously served as a longtime member of the New Jersey General Assembly and the New Jersey State Senate, making history as the first Latina from New Jersey elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. 
John Balwierczak is a lifelong resident and homeowner of North Arlington, and candidate running for Mayor, who has been supported by local and county Democrats including Bergen Executive James Tedesco, County Clerk John Hogan, and Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-36). A graduate of local public schools and North Arlington HS, Balwierczak played varsity basketball for the Vikings.
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