The Alternative Press

PATERSON, NJ – A story on PolitickerNJ says that former Passaic County Sheriff Jerry Speziale is considering a run to regain that position. The story says unnamed political sources have indicated that Speziale reached out to county Democratic chairman John Currie about seeking the organization’s endorsement over incumbent Richard Berdnik.

The story also says that Speziale’s allies have been conducting a recent poll among county Democrats about whether they would prefer Speziale or Berdnik as sheriff.

Speziale currently makes about $200,000 as deputy superintendent of police at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Berdnik’s salary as county sheriff is about $150,000, according to New Jersey Watchdog. Under Port Authority rules, Speziale would have to give up his position at the bi-state agency to run for the lower-paying sheriff’s job.

Some county political insiders say they believe Speziale’s supporters may be tipping off the media with leaks regarding Berdnik in an effort to undermine the sheriff, including the disclosure that the current sheriff received campaign contributions from two auto parts companies targeted in a recent FBI raid on counterfeit goods.