Nearly 75 political and township dignitaries supported Third Ward Councilman Vincent Cozzarelli's quest for re-election by attending his campaign fundraiser Wednesday night at Porto.

“I'm glad I have all this support,” Cozzarelli said. “I look forward to having a successful campaign. And, if elected, over the next four years there's great things we're going to accomplish in this town.”

Among those supporting Cozzarelli were Essex County Freeholder-at-Large Rufus I. Johnson; Belleville Mayor Ray Kimble and Municipal Council members Marie Strumolo Burke, Mike Nicosia, John Notari, and Steve Rovell; Fire Department Chief Bob Caruso; and both Chief Joseph Rotonda and Deputy Chief Mark Minichini of the police department.

Also on hand were Board of Education President Pete Zangari, Vice President Patricia Pisano-Inaugurato and Trustees Bill Freda, Joe Longo, Judy Piscatowski, and John Rivera, as well as BOE candidate Jeanne Lombardi who is running alongside Zangari in this April's election.

Cozzarelli was appointed by the other six Council members – including Mayor Ray Kimble and Councilmen-at-Large Kevin Kennedy and Michael Nicosia – in February weeks after Paul “PJ” MacDonald passed away. The youngest member of the Council, Cozzarelli ran unopposed in November but, under state election law, appointed candidates must run again on the next election date.

Candidates who pulled petitions must submit them by March 5. Cozzarelli and the other three ward council members are up for re-election on May 8.