Rumana Aide Named New Passaic GOP Chief

The Passaic County Regular Republican Organization elected John Traier to be its new party chairman on Tuesday, NorthJersey.com reported.

Traier is a part-time legislative aide to former party boss Assemblyman Scott Rumana.

Former Ringwood Mayor Scott Heck was expected to take over for Rumana who in March.

Rumana announced last week that he would back Traier for the position rather than Heck.

Rumana, who served six years as party chair, said that the move will allow the Republican Party in Passaic County to be more unified as it battles for spots on the Passaic County Freeholder Board and strengthens the party’s position within the county.

Rumana represents the state's 40th Legislative District.

Support within the party has been split during Rumana’s tenure between him and former chairman Peter Murphy.

“The goal of stopping the infighting in our party is one that needed to be done and we’ve reached the point where that can happen now,” Rumana said.

Rumana said the GOP is in a better position now than it was when he took over as chairman in 2006.

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