Yesterday was the deadline for Democratic and Republican New Jersey Gubernatorial and Assembly candidates to file their nominating petitions in order to get their names place on the June Primary Election ballots.
In the race for Governor, there were no surprises on the Democratic side, as all six candidates seeking the state’s highest office in Trenton filed thousands of signatures. The Democratic candidates are:
- Newark Mayor Ras Baraka
- Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop
- Bergen County Congressman Josh Gottheimer
- Bergen County Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill
- New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller
- Former N.J. Senate President Steve Sweeney
As for the Republicans, those who filed are:
- N.J. Senator Jon Bramnick
- Former N.J. Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, who ran four years ago and in 2017
- Former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac
- Former Radio Talk Show Host Bill Spadea
- Justin Barbera, unsuccessful Independent Burlington County 2024 District 3 Congressional candidate
Former N.J. State Senator Ed Durr, who pulled off one of the state’s biggest political upsets in 2021 when he ousted Senator Sweeney from office, dropped out of the race for Governor on Monday.
Law prohibits Governor Phil Murphy from seeking a third term in office.
As for the 80 member, two-year state Assembly terms, a total of 209 candidates have filed to run in the Democratic or Republican Primary Election.
The number of registered Republicans in New Jersey has increased by approximately 60,000 over 2024.
In Hudson County, the Democratic tickets for State Assembly are extremely crowded to say the least. In District 31, which comprises Bayonne and portions of Jersey City, incumbent Assemblywoman Barbara McCann Stamato is running alongside Bayonne Councilwoman Jacqueline Weimmer. They are running on Steven Fulop’s ticket. Meanwhile, the Hudson County Democratic Organization-endorsed candidates are incumbent Assemblyman William Sampson and Hudson County Commissioner Jerry Walker.
In the 32nd District, which comprises Hoboken and a portion of Jersey City, Democratic Assemblyman John Allen is not seeking re-election. Incumbent Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez and Jersey City Councilman Yosef Saleh are teamed together and are running on Fulop’s ticket. Meanwhile, the HCDO-endorsed candidates are Crystal Fonseca and Jennie Pu. Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla is teamed with Katie Brennan, forming a third Democratic ticket in the 32nd.
Finally, in District 33, incumbent Assemblyman Julio Marenco is not seeking re-election. Incumbent Assemblyman Gabriel Rodriguez, the former West New York Mayor, is teamed with businessman Larry Wainstein on a ticket supported by State Senator Brian Stack, who is also the mayor of Union City. They face the Fulop-backed team of Tony Hector and Frank Alonso, who are also supported by North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco.
The next two and a half months leading up to the June 10th Primary Election is going to be a political war.