The Second Dominican-American Mayor of the City of Passaic – Hector Carlos Lora
Politicians are an integral part of society who influence or develop policies through the legislative process while administering and supervising governance activities by holding a public office. American politicians participate in elections at various levels to seek election to a particular government office or position, including councilor, commissioner, mayor, representative, senator, governor, and president. American politics involves participating in elections independently or along party lines or philosophies to garner voters’ support. Politicians also appeal to voters’ social and economic needs by promoting objectives they will accomplish as elected officials after winning an election. Elected government and public service officials have a substantial responsibility to fulfill the commitments they made during their campaigns.
Many government officials cannot work effectively due to a lack of experience and expertise in administration and fail to accomplish their goals. However, politicians with adequate expertise, skills, and experience can make a difference in people’s lives while achieving their political objectives efficiently. Politicians typically do not get reelected if they fail to fulfill their commitments and promises to the public due to a lack of expertise, experience, and administrative or governance skills. However, some skilled politicians work efficiently to fulfill their promises while improving people’s quality of life and well-being by utilizing their governance skills and experience. Hector Carlos Lora is an experienced and skilled politician who achieved a landslide victory in the City of Passaic mayor elections and got reelected for a second term as the city’s mayor.
Hector Carlos Lora is the second Dominican-American mayor of the City of Passaic, NJ, currently in his second mayoral term. Born on November 26, 1977, in Passaic, NJ, to Dominican immigrants Alejandro and Maritza Lora, Hector C. Lora completed his early education at Passaic High School in 1996. Lora got accepted to the Stillman School of Business at Seton Hall University. He completed his associate degree (Suma Cum Laude) from Passaic County Community College. Lora completed his bachelor of science degree (Magna Cum Laude) from Liberty University. Dedication, resilience, and hard work go a long way in enabling people to succeed and grow in any field or discipline despite challenges and obstacles. Lora also remained dedicated to his goals and worked hard to accomplish his academic and professional objectives. He started working at St. Mary’s Hospital in 1998 while working in several departments before leaving the hospital in 2013 as a director. Lora also served as the lead pastor at Risen Refuge Ministry, Eastern Christian Free Methodist Church of Jersey City.
Lora started his political career as a councilman for Passaic City after winning the election in 2011. He was elected as one of the Passaic County Freeholders in 2013 for the Passaic County government, who later became Passaic County Commissioners. Lora subsequently became the first Latino Dominican Director of the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 2015. The city appointed Hector Lora as an acting mayor of Passaic in November 2016 after the resignation of then-mayor Alex Blanco. Hector Lora contested the local elections as an independent candidate in 2017. He won the elections with 67 percent of the total votes against four opposing candidates. Governor Phil Murphy also nominated Lora o the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission in 2020 after recognizing his work and dedication. Hector Lora contested the 2021 local elections and won by a landslide with 89 percent of the votes to be reelected as the mayor for a second term.
Hector Carlos Lora got reelected as the mayor of the City of Passaic mainly because of his effort and contribution to improving the quality of life and well-being of the local community. He took several initiatives and completed multiple projects as the mayor to make the city more inclusive and welcoming to everyone regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, and abilities. Lora developed the Aisle One Supermarket to transform a neglected industrial site into a thriving store that created jobs and offered a Kosher shopping experience to locals. Lora also initiated and completed the transformation of the VFW Hall into a veterans’ housing project and created mailboxes for the homeless. He took radical steps for the redevelopment of several zones in Passaic with an investment of over $273 million. Lora also launched and completed the Dundee Island Park, the Pet Safe Park, the synthetic ice-skating rink, and New Sonia Sotomayor school #21. The second Dominican-American mayor of the city of Passaic is making a difference by developing numerous welfare projects that promote community well-being and prosperity.