March 21, 2007 - 1:47pm

Democratic fratricide in Hudson County is nothing new

Democratic fratricide in Hudson County is nothing new
Back in 1949, just a few months after John V. Kenny ousted the legendary Frank Hague as the political boss of Hudson County, there was a perception that a victory by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Elmer Wene would return Hague to power. So Kenny, the new Mayor of Jersey City, sat on his hands and refused to help his party's candidate. Republican Governor Alfred Driscoll carried Jersey City by 18,000 votes.

The day after the election, Wene's press secretary sent a package to Kenny: a seven-inch carving knife stained with catsup, and a note: "Dear John: I pulled this out of Wene's back this morning. I thought you might need it for future reference."

Comments

Too Funny!


HA! Great story, Wally. Hudson County, past or present, is always good for a laugh!

03/21/07 2:57 pm

Live by the sword...


Has anyone ever asked what Bernie Kenny's past was like? While Bernie is a class act, his Father was very involved in Hudson County politics. Does anyone remember?

03/22/07 1:15 am

Bill Kelly for Governor . . .


"I'll drink to that" JV Kenny never forgave Bob Meyner for holding the NJ delegation to a first ballot favorite son vote at the 1960 national democratic convention, thereby denying NJ the honor of putting JFK over the top for the nomination. So nine years later, Kenny ran affable hudson county state senator Bill Kelly against Meyner in the gubnatorial primary. Hudson then went for Bill Cahill in the general election, costing Meyner the election. The moral of this story . . .you can't be a nice guy and survive as Chairman of the Hudson County Democratic Party.

03/22/07 9:09 am