Special Election to Replace Former New Jersey Sheriff Who Resigned After Racist Remarks

A special election will be held to replace a New Jersey sheriff who resigned after he was recorded making derogatory remarks about black people and the state's first Sikh attorney general.

Secretary of State Tahesha Way said Wednesday that the special election for Bergen County Sheriff will be held Nov. 6. Way says the County Clerk will soon issue guidance on deadlines and the nomination process.

Michael Saudino resigned from the sheriff's office effective immediately Friday after WNYC radio published a recording where he said the attorney general was appointed because of "the turban." He also said Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy's policies will allow black people to "do whatever the (expletive) they want" and "smoke their marijuana."

Four undersheriffs -- George Buono, the executive undersheriff, Robert Colaneri, Brian Smith, Joseph Hornyak -- also submitted their resignations effective immediately.

Saudino, who was in his third term as Bergen County sheriff, initially released a statement Thursday evening acknowledging that he'd made the "insensitive recorded remarks that were made public."

Murphy, other elected officials and even the president of the local police union, Chris Weston, called for Saudino's resignation after the recordings came to light.

Despite calls for him to resign after the recording came to light, Saudino initially said he would be reaching out to community leaders to apologize and repair the damage to the "friendships" he has built with those communities.