Pronounced: SEAR-ees (like "series")
Residence: West New York
Born: January 26, 1951; Bejucal, Cuba
Religion: Roman Catholic
Family: Wife, Adrienne Sires; one stepchild
Education: Saint Peter's College, B.A. 1974 (Spanish & marketing); Middlebury College, M.A. 1985 (Spanish)
Military Service: None
Career: Property title insurance firm owner; state community affairs agency aide; high school teacher
Political Highlights: Candidate for West New York Town Commission, 1983; Republican nominee for U.S. House, 1986; Republican nominee for Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders, 1987; candidate for West New York Town Commission, 1991; candidate for West New York Town Commission (recall election), 1993; West New York Town Commission, 1995-present (mayor, 1995-present); N.J. Assembly, 2000-present (Speaker, 2002-06)

In 1986, an ambitious young New Jersey Republican named Albio Sires gambled on a long-shot bid for the House. The result was a trouncing at the hands of veteran Democratic Rep. Frank J. Guarini, but it was only the beginning of what turned out to be a bright political career for Sires. It now culminates, 20 years later, with his election to the House — as a Democrat.

Sires, a former high school Spanish teacher, has evolved from a Republican to an independent to a loyal member of the powerful Democratic machine in Hudson County, which includes Jersey City.

Sires says he hopes to continue his history of working with all political kinds and possibly injecting a little more bipartisan spirit into the House.

"I know that the climate down there is a little difficult now, to say the least," he said. "I guess I can get as partisan as anybody, but at the same time, over the years I've developed the ability to deal with everybody."

If bipartisan outreach doesn't work, "we'll try something else," he laughed.

Sires would like to work on homeland security issues since his district has major port facilities, several bridges, two major tunnels to New York City and chemical factories nearby.

He also plans to continue his work on education — hoping to push what he views as needed changes to the No Child Left Behind education law — and on expanding housing opportunities.