Council in Bergen, New Jersey

2026 Primary Election

• Dennis E. Papile — County Employee, School Crossing Guard in North Arlington, NJ

  Dennis E. Papile, a North Arlington resident since 1976, is making his first bid for public office for Borough Council as a Democrat. A former business owner and US Naval Reserve veteran (1969-1973), he is currently employed by the County of Bergen and has served as a North Arlington school crossing guard since 2015. Papile, a father and grandfather, graduated from Lyndhurst High School in 1967. His key policy priority is to eliminate current property assessments and return to a longer, five-year or more reassessment process, aiming to prevent seniors from being forced out of North Arlington due to what he calls the "Pronti scheme." He advocates for new leadership to maintain North Arlington's small, safe, and suburban character, opposing urbanization and overdevelopment. He is running alongside mayoral candidate John Balwierczak and council candidate Cengiz "Jim" Sever, endorsed by local Democrats.

• Cengiz N. Sever — Journeyman tile installer in North Arlington, NJ

  Cengiz "Jim" Sever is a Democratic candidate for North Arlington Borough Council in New Jersey. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, he is a proud union member and journeyman tile installer with Local #7. Married for 27 years with three children, he is an Albert Street homeowner. Sever advocates for responsible two-party government, standing with working families, homeowners, and seniors against "random tax reassessments" and "massive overdevelopment." He aims to protect tax dollars, reduce wasteful spending, and ensure North Arlington remains "small, safe and suburban." He has received endorsements from major labor organizations and prominent Bergen County Democrats.

• Donna A. Bocchino — Incumbent Council Vice President in North Arlington, NJ

  Donna A. Bocchino is a lifelong resident of North Arlington, having been born and raised in the borough and a graduate of Queen of Peace High School. After a brief period away, she returned to give her children the same positive, tight-knit community experience she cherished. As an Incumbent Council Vice President, she believes in prioritizing the public good and the interests of North Arlington residents, working to ensure the borough remains an excellent place to live, work, and play for future generations. She is the President of the North Arlington Republican Club and has served on the Bergen County Republican Committee. Outside of her public service, Ms. Bocchino works as a Plan Review Administrator at the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and is a proud mother of four children and three grandchildren.

• Marijo L. Karcic Jr.. — Incumbent Council President in North Arlington, NJ

  Mario Karcic Jr. is the Republican Council President for the Borough of North Arlington, New Jersey, with his term ending in 2026. A North Arlington resident since 2001, he lives with his wife Jo Ann and their two daughters. Born in Weehawken in 1975, Karcic has a professional background in the health insurance industry. He is currently a licensed insurance producer, specializing in assisting small employers and school systems with healthcare costs and changes under the Affordable Care Act. He is also deeply involved in the community, coaching youth sports and serving on the North Arlington Recreation Committee, helping to organize various local events.