Stunning Upset: Trump Wins 4th Ward in Heavily Democratic Harrison, NJ

In a surprising twist in the 2024 presidential election, Republican candidate Donald Trump captured significant ground in Harrison, New Jersey—a town traditionally known for its strong Democratic leanings. Trump won three districts outright and took the Fourth Ward with 568 votes to Kamala Harris’s 523, sparking questions about voter sentiment in this Hudson County Democratic stronghold. This unexpected shift has put the leadership of Harrison’s Democratic Party under scrutiny, especially given that Councilman James Doran, Chairman of the Harrison Regular Democratic Organization, represents the Fourth Ward.

Breaking Down the Vote

Kamala Harris ultimately received a clear majority of Harrison’s total votes, securing 2,589 to Trump’s 1,800. However, Trump’s win in three key districts and an outright victory in the Fourth Ward mark an unexpected development that challenges the town’s usual political pattern.

• Ward-by-Ward Results:
• Ward 1: Harris 474, Trump 354
• Ward 2: Harris 696, Trump 269
• Ward 3: Harris 632, Trump 563
• Ward 4: Trump 568, Harris 523

Trump’s inroads into traditionally Democratic territories reflect nuanced voter dissatisfaction, especially in Harrison’s Fourth Ward, where registered Democrats far outnumber Republicans. Trump’s victories in three individual districts—District 3 in the First Ward (113-109) and Districts 1 and 2 in the Fourth Ward—reveal a growing voter disconnect from the Democratic Party’s leadership at the local level.

Examining Voter Sentiment: Why Trump Gained Ground

Harrison’s Democratic leaders, including Mayor and Harrison Redevelopment Agency Chairman James Fife and Councilman and Harrison’s Democratic Chairman James Doran, now face pressing questions about why the town’s Fourth Ward—a bastion of local Democratic power—opted for Trump. Several issues may have contributed to this unprecedented swing.

Environmental and Public Health Concerns

A significant local issue centers around the EPA’s plan to bring on land in Harrison toxic dioxin-laden sludge from the Passaic River on a recently decontaminated PSE&G property in Harrison. Councilman Doran and Mayor Fife have faced community opposition over their support for the project, which involves bringing on land in a residential community toxic dioxin-laden sludge into a residential community of modern apartment buildings. Many residents had expected the decontaminated PSE&G property to be converted into green space, a community center, and a much-needed turnaround and drop-off area for public transport. The latter would improve traffic flow and reduce traffic delays.

Instead, the property’s designation as a site for toxic dioxin-laden Agent Orange sludge and for construction materials has sparked widespread anxiety, with residents raising concerns about potential health and safety risks at an EPA Community Meeting in late August (2024).  Trump’s unexpected appeal in Harrison may have come, in part, from his campaign’s message of Democratic politicians looking out for themselves rather than looking out for the best interests of residents. Were the votes for Donald Trump a sign that residents in Harrison have had enough of Harrison’s elected officials lying to them about EPA’s plan and property tax increases?

Frustration Over Property Taxes and PILOT Allocations

Adding fuel to the fire, local economic concerns may have played a role in Trump’s gains. Harrison’s recent redevelopment boom has led to new apartment complexes and increased payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) totaling $14 million. This revenue boost theoretically should provide tax relief for residents, yet property taxes in Harrison remain high. Mayor Fife has placed the blame on Hudson County officials, County Executive Craig Guy, and Hudson County Commissioners including Commissioner Albert Cifelli who has a law office in Harrison, citing rising property values and increased county demands as the reason for Harrison’s tax burden.

However, residents are questioning the town’s fiscal planning, particularly when the influx of PILOT funds, coming in annually, from redevelopment projects could have been partially allocated toward property tax relief. Instead, a large portion of the funds has been allocated to ever-increasing municipal expenses, leaving many residents to wonder if Harrison’s leadership is prioritizing their best interests.

Democratic Party Analysis: What’s Next?

The surprise outcome in Harrison’s Fourth Ward and the close results in other districts suggest that residents may be losing confidence in their elected officials. Trump’s appeal, even in a town where registered Republicans are few, underscores a potential discontent with the Democratic Party’s leadership style, decisions, and lack of transparency on issues of pressing importance to residents. It may be also an indicator that property owners are tired of empty promises about property tax reductions when the property taxes continue to rise every year despite ever-increasing revenues from PILOTS from the Harrison Redevelopment Zone modern apartment buildings.  Not to mention the outright lie that EPA was not planning a Toxic Sludge Plant at the PSE&G plant made by Mayor Fife and Councilman Doran.  EPA is coming to Harrison and is being “supported” by Fife & Doran.

For Councilman James Doran and other local leaders, Trump’s Fourth Ward victory serves as a wake-up call. As head of the Harrison Regular Democratic Organization, Doran is tasked with maintaining strong Democratic support in Harrison. His own ward’s choice of Trump over Harris, however, suggests a significant misalignment between his leadership and the electorate's concerns. Doran, who wears many hats as Harrison’s Public Schools Director, Commissioner of Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission, and Commissioner of the Harrison Garden’s Public Housing, among other jobs, has lied and covered up EPA’s plan for a Toxic Sludge plant.  Mayor Fife told the truth over two years ago that EPA had a plan to use the PSE&G for Toxic Sludge but then was told by Councilman James Doran to take the statement back and conceal, lie, and defame others to cover it up.

Implications for Harrison and Beyond

For the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, Harrison’s election results raise broader questions about voter sentiment across Hudson County and other Democratic strongholds. If issues like environmental safety (protecting human health), economic accountability, and effective fiscal planning are not addressed, there may be further shifts in voter support.

As Harrison’s leadership reexamines its strategy, it will need to weigh public sentiment more carefully and prioritize transparency and responsiveness. The Fourth Ward’s unexpected outcome suggests that while Harrison may remain a Democratic town, local voters are increasingly willing to cross party lines when their interests aren’t represented.

In summary, Donald Trump’s surprising wins in Harrison’s Fourth Ward and select districts within this Democratic bastion are a clear signal of discontent, especially concerning environmental safety and financial accountability. If Harrison’s Democratic leadership seeks to retain voter loyalty, it will need to address these issues with greater responsiveness and foresight. How appropriate is it that residents of Councilman James Doran's ward have sent a message to him on Election Day.  Enough with the Lies.

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