Morristown PBA Endorses Esperanza Porras-Field For Mayor

MORRISTOWN, NJ — While Mayor Tim Dougherty has racked up endorsements from prominent politicians, primary challenger Esperanza Porras-Field just received one from Morristown's Police Benevolent Association.

In what PBA Local 43 believes is its first electoral endorsement, members voted 47-7 in favor of backing Porras-Field. Two members abstained.

"I don’t think that PBA Local 43 has ever endorsed a political candidate before but that’s how important we feel this is," PBA President Dennis Bergman wrote on social media.

The PBA touted Porras-Field's views on community policing and said she could foster a better relationship between town administration and officers.

"Community policing starts with a healthy relationship between the town administration and our union members," Bergman said. "Esperanza’s views on community policing align with ours as well as other issues facing our agency members. We work for the community and look forward to strengthening relationships between the town leaders as well as community leaders."

PBA leadership and Dougherty have publicly feuded as the PBA works without a contract. The quarrel has hit a fever pitch as Dougherty runs for a fourth terms.

Recently, a truck parked near the Morristown Green flashing digital
messages accusing Dougherty of corruption. The truck echoed Porras-Field's call for term limits. Bergman confirmed that the truck was a joint venture between the PBA and an anonymous website calling for Dougherty's ouster.

The PBA claimed last month that Dougherty's administration hasn't hired an officer in two years. Dougherty called the claim "fake news" and told Patch that his administration has hired 31 cops. Read more: Morristown Mayor Calls Criticism Of Cop Hiring Record 'Fake News'

Dougherty has received endorsements from prominent New Jersey politicians such as Gov. Phil Murphy, Senator Cory Booker and Rep. Mikie Sherrill. During Wednesday's mayoral candidate forum, Dougherty addressed criticism from the PBA.

"Everybody has the right to their union," Dougherty said. "If they want to not support me, that’s fine. ... They sat down with me (about their contract), had lunch, offered support if I did X, Y and Z, and that wasn’t going to happen. They have to negotiate their contract with the business administrator, not the mayor."

Porras-Field contested that Morristown should eliminate the position of public safety director because the town already has chiefs of police and fire.

"We don’t need to hire two chiefs, three chiefs," she said. "It’s an expense on the town. It’s another salary."

Dougherty said that Public Safety Director Michael C. Corcoran, Jr. was pivotal in ensuring the police department's recent accreditation. He encouraged people to view the Department of Public Safety's annual report on the town website to understand the director's role.

Read more: Morristown Mayor Candidates Clash Over Term Limits, Housing

Thanks for reading. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com. Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter and follow the Morristown Patch Facebook page.