Michael Wildes and
Sen. Evan Bayh |
Michael Wildes
(right) and
Sen. Charles Schumer |
Michael
Wildes with
Sen. Joseph Lieberman (left) and
Sen. Frank Lautenberg |
MICHAEL
WILDES
Raising
Englewood’s Profile
By Raising Funds For Democrats
 OUNCILMAN
Michael Wildes is becoming known far beyond the confines of
Englewood, New Jersey. A powerhouse in local Democratic circles,
he is becoming adept at raising funds for the party nationwide.
Last month Evan Bayh,
son of the legendary Senator Birch Bayh, stopped by Amy and
Michael Wildes’ home. The event was a fundraiser for his
re-election campaign as Senator from Indiana.
In the 70s, the elder
Bayh was one of the Senate’s strongest supporters of the Equal
Rights Amendment. The younger Bayh now holds his father’s
seat.
Wildes has been a
councilman since 1999. Yet, he has been gaining a lot of national
attention in the last two years. And there are indications
that a broad spectrum of Englewood’s people and political
leaders are starting to see Wildes’ profile as a good thing for
Englewood’s future.
Among those in attendance
to meet Senator Bayh were Debra and Reverend John Spencer
(he is also a city board trustee); Rabbi Menachem Genack of
Congregation Shomrei
Emunah; Charles Cobb, vice chairman of the
local Democratic Municipal Committee; Ary Freilich, Senator
Joe Lieberman’s brother-in-law; David Mathews, a
school board trustee; Arthur O’Keefe, a police
lieutenant; Natalie Beaumont, director of the literacy
program at the public library.
On the Council, Wildes
often stands alone, especially when it comes to questioning
development agreements. This has not made him his colleagues’
favorite. But on a national stage, Wildes is rapidly
becoming a popular fellow within the Democratic Party.
Senators Joseph Lieberman
(D-Connecticut) and Frank Lautenberg (D-New Jersey) were
guests at the Wildes law office for a fundraiser last September.
In December, Senator Charles Schumer (D-New York) traveled
to Englewood for the opening of Wildes’ political offices.
Before Bayh arrived,
Wildes put it this way: “Amy and I believe that building
relationships with Democrats throughout our nation will build
bridges for Englewood and enhance our ability to get things done
as a community.”
Senator Bayh responded,
“Michael Wildes would make a great mayor for Englewood.”
If the past year is any
indication, Wildes will be drawing a lot of attention from
Democratic Party leaders from around the country. And that
can’t be a bad thing for Englewood. |
