Bayonne Mayoral Debate: Budget, Hospital & Development

Three Bayonne mayoral candidates—Councilman at-Large Loyad Booker, former Council President Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski, and Business Administrator Mary Jane Desmond—clashed over several city issues, including data center zoning, during the election cycle's only debate hosted by Hudson County View. The debate, held at Bayonne High School, touched upon public safety, the city budget, hospital layoffs, housing, and infrastructure. The topic of data centers garnered significant attention. Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski stated that existing zoning laws would allow a data center to be built without a variance, a situation she vowed to prevent if elected. Loyad Booker confirmed that the city council is actively re-evaluating previously permitted uses for land following public feedback on data centers. Mary Jane Desmond assured attendees that no formal application for a data center project has been approved, encouraging residents to remain engaged in the ongoing process. Other major discussion points included a disputed city budget deficit, with estimates ranging from $5 million to $22 million, and the 967 WARN Act notices sent to workers at Bayonne University Medical Center by Hudson Regional Hospital. Candidates also debated approaches to law enforcement, affordable housing, street maintenance, the planned Newark Bay Bridge replacement, and the long-delayed ferry terminal project, which Booker aims to launch by Spring 2027.