Internet Explorer 11 is not supported

For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.

Trump's Racist Comments Drive Hackensack, N.J., Mayor to Leave the GOP

The city's mayor and deputy mayor officially disavowed their affiliation with the Republican party Thursday in protest of what they called racist comments made by the presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump.

The city's mayor and deputy mayor officially disavowed their affiliation with the Republican party Thursday in protest of what they called racist comments made by the presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump.

 

Mayor John Labrosse and Deputy Mayor Kathleen Canestrino filed a change of party affiliation with the Bergen County Board of Elections, switching from Republicans to independents, according to a press release.

 

“With some of the things that have been said lately, we’re not going to support that type of language,” Labrosse said.

 

They announced the decision in a written joint statement: “Hackensack is a very diverse city and we respect all of our residents regardless of their race or heritage. The divisive and racist statements that Trump keeps making are insulting to many of our people and completely unacceptable. We don't want a young student in one of our schools hearing these things and believing that their own elected officials are supporting these types of statements.”

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
Special Projects