Roque, Rodriguez battle in West New York mayoral race

The residents of West New York will choose who they wish to lead them Tuesday during the city’s mayoral election.

News 12 Staff

May 14, 2019, 1:44 AM

Updated 1,811 days ago

Share:

The residents of West New York will choose who they wish to lead them Tuesday during the city’s mayoral election.
The candidates are current West New York Mayor Felix Roque and current Commissioner Gabriel Rodriguez – both Democrats of Cuban ancestry.
“People ask me, are you afraid? Are you concerned? Not at all,” says Roque. “I feel happy and blessed. So God is with me, nobody can go against me.”
“We pride ourselves on running a very positive campaign and that’s what our administration will reflect – positivity, which is what West New York needs.
Roque and Rodriguez were allies four years ago, but have since had a falling out.
“We tried working with this mayor and it became impossible,” Rodriguez says. “He decided to associate and consult with other people other than us o his decision making – people we didn’t feel comfortable working it.”
Former West New York Mayor Rep. Albio Sires was once an ally of Roque as well and backed him for mayor in 2015. But the congressman has also spoken out against him for this election.
But the mayor still says that he is not worried about winning re-election.
“I can tell you I like to do things the right way. And what I’ve seen with these people is they think that this is a free-for-all. They like to spend a lot of money. They like to enrich themselves and I’m going to tell you, that’s not going to fly. Not under my watch,” Roque says.
Roque has been mayor for two terms. He has also been on trial twice to faces state and federal charges – but was acquitted both times. Rodriguez says that West New York deserves some new leadership.
“I absolutely believe that…new beginnings are what this community needs, and speaking with so many residents, knocking on doors, walking the avenue – that is what they also want,” Rodriguez says.
Tuesday’s election is not the only race for mayor in Hudson County. North Bergen voters will be choosing a new mayor as well. Current Mayor Nicholas Sacco is seeking his eighth term in office against businessman Larry Wainstein.
Polls open at 6 a.m.


More from News 12
1:57
Authorities: Fire destroys home in Spring Valley

Authorities: Fire destroys home in Spring Valley

1:40
Scattered rain overnight in the Hudson Valley; sunny skies Sunday afternoon

Scattered rain overnight in the Hudson Valley; sunny skies Sunday afternoon

0:43
Musica Y Mole Festival: White Plains High School celebrates Mexican culture

Musica Y Mole Festival: White Plains High School celebrates Mexican culture

1:02
Drug Takeback Day encourages Rockland residents to properly dispose of unused, expired medications

Drug Takeback Day encourages Rockland residents to properly dispose of unused, expired medications

2:02
'Gains For Brains' girls lacrosse tournament raises awareness, funds for pediatric brain cancer research

'Gains For Brains' girls lacrosse tournament raises awareness, funds for pediatric brain cancer research

0:31
Police seek public’s help locating missing 89-year-old man

Police seek public’s help locating missing 89-year-old man

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

0:33
Delta plane lands at JFK due to emergency slide falling off

Delta plane lands at JFK due to emergency slide falling off

2:28
Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

1:23
Westchester commuters, residents weigh in on official congestion pricing rollout date

Westchester commuters, residents weigh in on official congestion pricing rollout date

0:20
City of White Plains to impose new speed limit of 25 mph, effective in May

City of White Plains to impose new speed limit of 25 mph, effective in May

0:41
Farm-to-table distillery brings boozy beverages to Goshen

Farm-to-table distillery brings boozy beverages to Goshen

0:22
Westchester County Center to host free prom attire giveaway this weekend

Westchester County Center to host free prom attire giveaway this weekend

0:35
Westchester Craft Beverage Trail takes residents on tour of 2 dozen distilleries

Westchester Craft Beverage Trail takes residents on tour of 2 dozen distilleries

Special teams carry Rangers to a Game 3 win and a 3-0 series lead on the Capitals

Special teams carry Rangers to a Game 3 win and a 3-0 series lead on the Capitals

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:52
Mother and daughter from Mount Vernon sentenced in pandemic-relief fraud scheme

Mother and daughter from Mount Vernon sentenced in pandemic-relief fraud scheme

0:32
Carmel police: Yorktown shoplifting suspects arrested

Carmel police: Yorktown shoplifting suspects arrested

0:52
'Kindness in a cup.' Sleepy Coffee, Too celebrates grand opening in Sleepy Hollow

'Kindness in a cup.' Sleepy Coffee, Too celebrates grand opening in Sleepy Hollow

1:53
Officials call for no-show Orange County legislator to step down after missing meetings for two years

Officials call for no-show Orange County legislator to step down after missing meetings for two years