Former West New York Commissioner Cosmo Cirillo has filed paperwork to run for mayor again, setting up a possible rematch with incumbent Albio Sires in the May 2027 election. Cirillo filed a D-2 form with the state on October 21, naming himself as his own campaign treasurer and tapping Jorge Gomez, a former West New York recreation director, as his campaign chair.
Cirillo’s filing was reported by Hudson County View. The New Jersey Globe puts the 2023 result at roughly 61% for Sires’s slate and 39% for Cirillo’s. Cirillo could not be immediately reached for comment, Hudson County View reported.
Gomez brings his own complicated history with the town he once worked for: he is currently suing West New York for wrongful termination, the outlet reports. Cirillo himself served as a West New York commissioner from 2015 to 2023 before losing his bid against Sires, who first led the town as mayor from 1995 to 2006 and returned to reclaim the office in the 2023 race.
A Lopsided Defeat Still Fresh From 2023
Sires didn't just beat Cirillo at the top of the ticket in 2023 — he swept the board. His four running mates, Adam Parkinson, Marielka Diaz, Victor Barrera and Marcos Arroyo, were all elected alongside him, giving Sires's slate all five seats on the West New York Board of Commissioners, according to the New Jersey Globe. None of Cirillo's running mates won seats that year, the outlet notes.
West New York uses a board of commissioners form of government. The mayor is technically chosen by the governing body, rather than elected directly in a citywide mayoral vote, Hudson County View reports. In local campaign coverage, however, “mayoral candidate” commonly refers to the person at the top of a ticket.
A Historical Snapshot of Commission Government
A Town of Roseland-hosted overview says 30 New Jersey municipalities, representing 4.1% of the state’s 2010 population, used the commission form as of July 1, 2011. That historical snapshot does not establish how many municipalities use the form today or whether its use has changed since then.
Sires Hasn't Said What's Next
Sires has not announced whether he will seek another term. Hudson County View reports that his political allies privately expect him to run again; that expectation has not been confirmed publicly.
Another Hudson County Race in 2027
The North Bergen election is also expected to take place May 11, 2027. Hudson County View reports that the contest could feature Assemblyman Larry Wainstein and Parks and Public Property Commissioner Hugo Cabrera.
Wainstein has not publicly said whether he will run, according to HudsonTV. Hudson County View reports an expectation that he will forgo reelection to the Assembly to make a fourth run for North Bergen mayor. HudsonTV notes that Wainstein has led a ticket against longtime mayor Nicholas Sacco in three consecutive township elections and lost each time.
Sacco is retiring after 41 years in office, including 35 as mayor, and Cabrera is set to be sworn in as his successor, Hudson County View reports. The outlet says Sacco has endorsed Cabrera and his running mates for the upcoming race.
