Young Turks John Balwierczak and John Yampaglia are walking door to door, addressing local issues with homeowners and tenants as they believe keeping the community small, safe and suburban is what’s really on the minds of NA residents! 

While Democrats filed no council candidates in 2023, they believe a large turnout in 2024 will turn the tide against an entrenched and over-confident local GOP that has become a partisan political monopoly!

NORTH ARLINGTON – Times have been tough for North Arlington Democrats, but two young and energetic potential candidates are currently walking door to build support for a 2024 race for Borough Council.

Doing it the old fashioned way and that’s knocking on doors and pounding the pavement for support, longtime residents John Balwierczak and John Yampaglia believe they can pull of the improbable and restore a Democratic presence and legitimate two-party governance come January of 2025 at Borough Hall.

Democrats hit rock bottom as they have not won a local council election since 2016 when they upset incumbents Mario Karcic and Rich Hughes when they pounded away on rising municipal taxes and a reassessment process that was woefully unpopular with voters.

Since then, Democrats have lost six straight local contests, fielding just a partial ticket last year and no ticket this year.

So what is at the heart of the effort being put forth by Yampaglia, who previously ran for council in 2020 and Balwierczak, a graduate of NAHS and former varsity basketball player for the Vikings?

Hard work.

“Democrats need to reestablish themselves as a viable political commodity in North Arlington. The effort being put forth by both John’s is exactly the right thing to do. They need to rebuild a political base and make themselves available to voters and residents alike. They are doing some heavy lifting, something Republicans will have face in a real contest,” offered one local political observer when asked to comment.

“The Republicans are getting fat and happy with no transparency, accountability or competition and that’s bad news for North Arlington,” observed one former elected official.

Sources tell NA TODAY that both Balwierczak and Yampaglia plan on holding an organizational meeting in October with their new-found support and rebuild the borough’s local Democratic Club.

The goal is to host a membership meeting and invite legislative incumbents Paul Sarlo, Clinton Calabrese and Gary Schaer along with the Bergen County candidates for Supervisor, incumbents Joan Voss and Rafael Marte to address this new base of local support.

Both Balwierczak and Yampaglia are compiling a new database of supporters to get a Democratic organization up and running.

Longtime Democratic Municipal Chairman Nick Antonicello supports the efforts of these energized and energetic hopefuls.

“We need young people to join this effort. I have been involved in local Democratic campaigns for decades and now is the time to pass the political torch to a new brand of Democrat that understands it takes hard work, courage and a knowledge of the issues to compete with a very formidable GOP organization,” observed Antonicello.

Local Republicans in 2022 raised well over $30,000 last year primarily from borough contractors, vendors and political appointees with strong allegiances to the Pronti political organization.

For massive campaign contributions from the politically connected are alive and well in North Arlington based on initial filings by NA Republicans with the state’s Election Law Enforcement Commission otherwise known as ELEC.

“COVID-19 played a debilitating effect on our local democracy and with the pandemic finally in the rearview, the ability to campaign door-to-door and in-person is our greatest political advantage and that’s a strength we will take advantage in the weeks and months to come. We have a responsibility to offer a clear choice for voters of all political persuasions. A one-party monopoly is only supported by the seven-elected members of the Mayor & Council and no one else,” offered the Democratic local leader.

Many believe the redevelopment of Ridge Road has resulted in an urbanization of North Arlington that will eventually force longtime residents to leave the community, especially seniors that could gentrify the borough.

For decades, Democrats as well as Republicans promoted North Arlington as different and unique to neighboring Hudson and Essex counties, long described with population density and an urban versus suburban climate.

This new Democratic Duo believes they can win a ground game and force the local Republicans out of hiding.

Balwierczak, who has been walking for weeks believes he is waking up a “sleeping base” that is the Democratic Party and that a competitive council race in 2024 is self-evident.

Others believe this approach is working.

“Elections are not a hundred-yard dash, they are long term and marathons. The fact these two gentlemen are operating in this fashion this early bodes well for success in 2024 where more Democrats will cast votes then Republicans,” offered one local observer who asked not to be identified.

“There are real voters out begging for change. One woman told us that it was the first time in years a Democrat knocked on their door. We have to conquer the grass roots,” offered Balwierczak.

NA TODAY will follow the activities of both Democrats and here attached are photos of their latest door-to-door efforts.