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Hudson County GOP chairman busted for DWI in Jersey City

UPDATE: Hudson County Republican Party Chairman Jose O. Arango, the head of one of the few immigrants to win a seat in the New Jersey Legislature and one of the youngest to serve as an assemblyman, was arrested on DWI charges in Jersey City last night, CLIFFVIEW PILOT has learned.

Photo Credit: Cliffview Pilot File Photo

Arango, who last August became the “Chair of Chairs” for the Association of New Jersey Republican Party County Chairs, was stopped by Port Authority police on 14th Street near Manila Avenue at 1:30 a.m. because his 2009 Nissan swerving with its headlights off, the authority’s Joseph Pentangelo told CLIFFVIEW PILOT.

“The suspect pulled over and interviewing officers noticed a strong odor of alcohol on the suspect’s breath,” Pentangelo said.

“The officer interviewed the suspect who had trouble speaking clearly. The suspect used the door for support and balance,” he added. “When exiting his automobile, he stumbled.

“The suspect was placed under arrest and a computer check showed the suspect had an active traffic warrant from Union City,” Pentangelo said. “His vehicle was impounded.”

Arango was charged with DWI, refusal to submit to an alcohol test and driving without headlights. He was later released pending a court hearing.

Arango, 57, has served undre several Jersey City mayors.

At various times, he was division director of the Economic Development Authority in Jersey City, a founding member of the Jersey City Global Charter School and a liasion to the U.S. Homeland Security Department.

Arango was a state General Assembly member from 1986 to 1988, the vice-chairman of the Housing Committee in the Legislature and Chairman of the Commerce and Latin American Relations Committee for the US Legislature Association in 1987.

He has been chairman of the Hudson County Republican Party for more than a decade and also served as a state Parole Board hearing officer and project manager for the state Department of Community Affairs.

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