Hudson County, New Jersey

Hudson County Commissioner, District 9

See where Valdez and Gopalak stand on housing, jobs and the environment. Names follow official Hudson County election filings.

About this race

The only contested Hudson County Commissioner race in 2026, for an open seat after incumbent Albert Cifelli did not seek re-election. Democrat Alex Valdez won a three-way June 2, 2026 primary against Bennett and Elkadious, per Hudson County View, and faces Republican Anmol Gopalak, the name printed on the Hudson County Clerk's official sample ballot (identified in some press coverage as Anmol Pollack), in November. The district covers East Newark, Harrison, Kearny, Secaucus and portions of Jersey City, per the New Jersey Globe.

What this office does

County commissioner. The county board is the county's legislative and, in most states, executive body. Commissioners adopt the county budget and property tax rate, oversee roads, the jail, public health, planning and zoning in unincorporated areas, and appoint or confirm department heads. In counties with an elected county executive or judge, the board's role is mainly the budget and ordinances.

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New Jersey › Hudson County › Hudson County Commissioner, District 9

Alex Valdez

Democratic

Top priorities

From the campaign site

Build more affordable housing, protect tenants and small landlords, and enforce Hudson County's existing rent control laws
Increase county funding for public transit, expand inter-county bus and train service, and expand the Vision Zero street-safety initiative
Address the cost of climate change to county residents and businesses

Biography

Alex Valdez is a nonprofit leader, nurse in training, and former sergeant in the New Jersey Army National Guard, per his campaign site. He has held leadership roles at the Boys & Girls Club of Paterson and Passaic and done humanitarian work with the International Rescue Committee, including asylum-seeker assistance and refugee resettlement.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Anmol Gopalak

Republican

Biography

Anmol Gopalak, identified in some press coverage as Anmol Pollack, is a social media influencer and the Republican nominee for the District 9 Hudson County Commissioner seat, per the New Jersey Globe. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.

Next on your ballotHudson County Register of Deeds and Mortgages

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Hudson County Commissioner, District 9 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Hudson County Commissioner, District 9 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Alex Valdez and Anmol Gopalak. Candidate information follows official Hudson County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below. See where they stand on housing, jobs and the environment.

When is the Hudson County Commissioner, District 9 election in New Jersey?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for New Jersey are on the New Jersey election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Hudson County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Hudson County and state election office filings, last verified October 16, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official New Jersey election office, or see the full Hudson County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Hudson County ballot

10 tracked races in Hudson County, New Jersey. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Hudson County Commissioner, District 1 Hudson County Commissioner, District 2 Hudson County Commissioner, District 3 See all 10 Hudson County races

Candidate profiles

Alex Valdez, full profile Anmol Gopalak, full profile Official New Jersey election office