The governor’s seat is up for grabs. Though New Jersey residents have voted majority Democrat for every Presidential candidate since 1992, put only Democratic Senators in office since 1972 and created a majority Democratic legislature since 2004, the gubernatorial race is anyone’s race. Garden State voters have chosen a Republican leader three times in the past 50 years.

That is why it is important to be informed about who the candidates are for this year’s election. With six Democrats and five Republicans vying for the governorship, there are also 80 Assembly seats up for grabs and countless county and local positions as well. This month, in the issue Democrat, Republican or Unaffiliated – It’s June Primaries Time!, we tell you everything you need to know about how and where to vote as well as who is running for office and what they stand for.

What issue is driving you to vote in the Primary Election? That is what we asked around town this month for our Pulse of Princeton. Do you align with these voters? Have a different reason driving you? Watch the video now.

Have you registered and are preparing to cast your ballot? The article Your Vote on Primary Day Can Impact the Races for District 16 and the State provides all the details on the different voting options, where and when you can weigh in as well as detailed information about the candidates running for Assembly in NJ District 16, and who is running for all the other county and local offices on the Princeton ballot.

With so many gubernatorial candidates to choose from, it is important to get acquainted with each. The article Get to Know the Candidates for Governor Before You Vote provides insight into each Democrat and Republican running in the Primary Election and offers insight from each specifically on what they have to offer Mercer County voters.

As we often do when an election is looming, we have reached out to respected community members to provide some things to think about before you vote. This month we bring you A Democrat’s Perspective: Considerations as Primary Day Approaches and A Republican’s Perspective: Considerations as Primary Day Approaches. No matter which party you align with, you can always learn from those across the aisle, too.

A train strike is looming and there is some exciting music coming to town. Stay on top of both impactful events by reading this month’s Perspectives Revisited.

With no other resource to learn about every candidate on your ballot, Princeton Perspectives is the place to be informed. Thank you for reading and please pass this issue onto your friends, family and neighbors, so they can be informed, too!

On Tuesday, June 10^th, most New Jerseyans are invited to the polls to cast their votes in the primary election. Yes, you read that right – Despite what most believe, Primary Day is not just a day registered Democrats or Republicans vote, as Unaffiliated New Jerseyans have the opportunity to vote as well. Though there are only elections held to determine the Democrat and Republican candidates for each role, Unaffiliated voters can declare in advance or at the polls, to help determine who will be on the ballot. And with contests on both sides of the aisle, each and every vote cast can be impactful.

Who is running and what’s at stake? We share information here about every candidate on the ballots, as well as how you can take advantage of your right to vote.

SETTING YOURSELF UP TO VOTE

In order to vote in the Primary Election, you must be registered by 8pm on May 20^th. You can do this either in-person or online. Every U.S. citizen, that has been a resident of their New Jersey county for at least 30 days before the election and will be at least 18 on or before Election Day is eligible to vote. If unsure of your registration status, you can always check here.

Once registered, decide if you’re going to vote in-person or Vote-by-Mail. If by mail, you must register separately for that. It can be done through the mail by June 3rd, or in-person by June 9^th @3pm. You will then receive a ballot to cast your votes by mail, which you can drop into a Secure Drop Box at numerous Mercer County locations, or send back by mail with a postmark dated by Election Day.

Voting in person is expanded again this year, offering nearly one week to cast your ballot. Early Voting will be offered at seven locations in East Windsor, Hamilton, Princeton, Ewing, Lawrence, Trenton and Pennington. Anyone can vote early at any location. The sites will be open at 10am June 3^rd through June 8^th, closing at 8pm every day except Sunday, at 6pm.

On Election Day, you must go to your registered polling site, indicated on the sample ballot mailed to your home or found here. Election Day hours are June 10^th from 6am until 8pm.

HOW THE NJ PRIMARY ELECTION WORKS

New Jersey has a closed primary system, which means you can only vote for the nominees that are in your party. In this state, the Primary Election system includes Democrats and Republicans. Those registered with other official parties are unable to vote.

However, if you have registered “Unaffiliated,” (which used to be called Independent), you are able to weigh in as well, with one small catch. You will need to declare as a Democrat or Republican for the Primary Election in order to vote and can only vote for that one party. This is an important opportunity, especially in counties like Mercer where there are some races with only one-party candidates.

Unaffiliated voters wishing to Vote-by-Mail can call the Superintendent of Elections (609-989-6750) and declare a party, then apply to get the appropriate ballot sent to them. The cut-off date for party declaration to Vote-by-Mail is June 3^rd. Unaffiliated voters can also vote in-person simply by walking into the polling site and telling them you want to affiliate. It’ll be handled on the spot, and you can cast your vote.

Then, you can return to being Unaffiliated. It is essential that you wait for the votes to be certified before you reset your registration back to Unaffiliated, or your vote will not count. After July 22^nd, you can submit a new declaration form to the county, to revert your official registration back to Unaffiliated.

WHO IS ON THE BALLOT

This year in New Jersey, Governor Murphy’s term limit is up, so a gubernatorial race is underway. We are detailing all of those candidates in a separate article, which you can find here.

Additionally, all Assembly seats are up statewide. That means that voters will choose two Assembly people to lead them in each district, including Princeton’s District 16. There is some contest for those seats, which we will further explain. County Clerk, Board of County Commissioners and Princeton Council also have open seats this election, however there is no contest in the Primary, as there are equal or fewer candidates running per party as the number of eligible open seats.

ASSEMBLY, NJ DISTRICT 16 DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES

The NJ Assembly works alongside the Senate as the legislative branch of NJ’s government. All 80 seats are up for election every two years.

In District 16, Roy Freiman has held a seat since 2018 (when he replaced Jack Ciattarelli, who ran for governor). In 2023, Freiman was joined by fellow Democrat Mitchelle Drulis (when Andrew Zwicker left the Assembly for the Senate). Both are seeking re-election. Democrat Mahmoud Desouky has also thrown his hat into the race, hoping to take one of the two seats. We’ll share their visions for helping District 16, in alphabetical order.

Mahmoud Desouky is a family business owner. A South Brunswick native and 2024 Rutgers University graduate, he built and manages a plumbing and heating company. Desouky seeks to protect and advance free speech, wants to ensure an affordable cost of living throughout the state and aims to help NJ stay on track for 100% clean energy by 2035. He believes his generation needs a seat at the table to address the struggles of District 16 voters.

“I understand the challenges of navigating New Jersey’s regulatory environment, balancing budgets, creating jobs, and staying resilient in an unpredictable economy. That perspective is sorely lacking in our legislature. I don’t just talk about supporting small businesses—I live it every day,” Desouky explains. “I decided to run because I believe our communities deserve leadership that is present, responsive, and bold in advocating for real change. While incumbents often benefit from name recognition, I bring a new energy grounded in grassroots organizing and a deep commitment to the people of District 16. As someone who grew up here and is actively involved in both civic and business life, I’ve seen firsthand how working families, immigrants, and young people continue to be overlooked in our political system. I’m not running to maintain the status quo—I’m running to challenge it.”

Desouky adds, “Unseating incumbents requires more than just opposition—it requires offering a vision that resonates with everyday people. My campaign is about listening to residents, showing up in every neighborhood, and advocating for policies that directly impact their lives—affordable housing, small business support, youth opportunities, and environmental protection. Voters are ready for a representative who isn’t tied to political machines but is grounded in lived experience, community service, and a determination to fight for what’s right.”

Mitchelle Drulis spent more than a decade working in NJ politics before becoming the Political Director that helped Tom Malinowski flip control of U.S. District 7. After a few years working as the District Director for Malinowski’s office, she became a first-term Assemblywoman. Drulis seeks to keep her seat in the Assembly to continue working for her constituents.

“Before my election to the Assembly, I spent many years as a legislative staffer in both the NJ Assembly and Congress—an experience that taught me that progress and fairness require persistent effort. My first term is an example of my ongoing fight for the future of New Jersey families. Although I never anticipated running for office, my work in Trenton has only strengthened my resolve to fight to make living, raising a family, and retiring in New Jersey just a little bit easier. I have worked on critical initiatives like Stay NJ and ANCHOR, which provide much-needed property tax relief for renters, homeowners, and our seniors, ensuring that New Jersey remains affordable for all. At the same time, I am proud to have served as the prime sponsor of Assembly Bill A3446—the Freedom to Read Act—an essential measure protecting New Jersey from extreme sweeping book bans,” Assemblywoman Mitchelle Drulis shares.

She continues, “In the General Assembly, we stand as the first line of defense against the chaos and overreach from Washington, DC. Determined to uphold both fairness and freedom, I have introduced legislation to ensure our public schools are funded, establish a reproductive health travel advisory, protect the environment, and combat social media fraud. I have also cosponsored legislation to fortify voting rights, defend access to health care, and enhance workers’ protections. I remain steadfast in my commitment to reduce costs, support working families, and invest in our children’s future.”

Roy Freiman was an executive at Prudential Financial before being elected to the Assembly. His skills as VP of Strategy and Analytics were ones he says transferred to his elected office, where he worked to help NJ families through tax relief and new job creation. He hopes to be elected to his 4^th terms in the Assembly.

“As a state representative, I draw on my years of experience to tackle the issues that truly matter to our community. We face ongoing challenges, and every session presents new priorities for working families. My experience in the Assembly and as a former business leader has equipped me to effectively respond to the challenges New Jersey families face, especially in light of federal spending cuts from this administration. We must ensure our schools are funded, that we continue to fund Stay NJ and ANCHOR, which will provide historic property tax relief for our renters, homeowners, and seniors, and we are working to lower healthcare costs for New Jersey families,” states Assemblyman Roy Freiman.

Freiman additionally shares, “A key focus of mine right now is holding the pharmaceutical middleman companies (PBMs) accountable for reducing costs and expanding access to prescription drugs. There is still much more work to be done in this area, and with another term, I will push forward on efforts to keep New Jersey affordable and protect our residents from the challenges coming out of Washington.”

ASSEMBLY, NJ DISTRICT 16 REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES

NJ’s 16^th Legislative District includes Princeton, as well as municipalities in Hunterdon, Middlesex and Somerset counties. Republicans have not held a State Assembly seat in this district since Jack Ciattarelli left in 2018. There is no contest in the Republican Primary race, as two candidates are vying for two open seats, but we will introduce them here. A vote for them in June signifies confidence in their campaigns.

Scott Sipos is serving his 2^nd term on the Raritan Township Committee and served as the township’s Mayor in 2024. As a committeeman, he has focused efforts on improving emergency management capabilities, garnering grant funding from all levels of government and improving public safety. He is a teacher, who served for years as his union’s president, where he led many negotiations.

Catherine Payne is currently Deputy Mayor of Hillsborough. She is also an IT/Operations professional, working throughout her career in both the public and private sectors to modernize and make their systems more efficient.

Sipos and Payne are running together on the Republican ticket.

“The 16th District needs Republican leadership to bring balance to Trenton and stand up where Roy Freiman and Mitchelle Drulis have failed. They’ve voted for bloated state budgets and higher taxes, allowed utility costs to skyrocket, and refused to fix the broken school funding formula that’s gutted resources from our schools. On top of that, they’ve supported policies that have overdeveloped our communities, straining our infrastructure and threatening our quality of life. We’re running to restore fiscal responsibility, protect our towns from overdevelopment, fight for fair school funding, and make New Jersey more affordable for everyone. At the end of the day, this isn’t about party—it’s about solving problems, and Freiman and Drulis have failed us,” Sipos and Payne share with Princeton Perspectives.

“We, Scott Sipos and Catherine Payne, are running for the New Jersey General Assembly to tackle the pressing challenges that affect our communities every day. Our campaign is centered on constituent-centered priorities: fixing the broken school funding formula, promoting safety and reducing crime, curbing overdevelopment and safeguarding open spaces, and enhancing affordability for all New Jersey residents.

Every child in New Jersey deserves access to a quality education. However, the current school funding formula has led to significant disparities among districts in regard to state funding, often due to outdated calculations and cuts in state aid. We are committed to overhauling this formula to ensure equitable and adequate funding for all schools.

We also need members of the Assembly who support our police and make investments into our communities that enhance public safety.  As local elected officials, we understand how critical funding and resources from our state and federal partners are to our law enforcement officers. We will work to ensure that our police have the tools they need to combat car thefts and home break-ins, and policies that empower our officers to keep our communities safe.

State mandated overdevelopment threatens the character of our towns, strains infrastructure, and encroaches upon our precious open spaces. We will advocate in Trenton for responsible land use policies that balance growth with preservation, ensuring that development is sustainable and in harmony with community needs.

The high cost of living in New Jersey places a significant burden on families, seniors, and young people. We are committed to implementing policies that address property tax relief, affordability, and cost-of-living challenges. By promoting fiscal responsibility and efficient governance, we aim to make New Jersey a more affordable place to live, work, and raise a family.”

ROUNDING OUT THE BALLOTS

To familiarize you with the remaining ballot options when you cast your votes, here are the uncontested 2025 races for office on the Princeton ballots. All will be on the ballot for their offices in the November 4^th General Election.

County Clerk

Democrat Paula Sollami Covello is the incumbent running for her 5^th term as County Clerk. She is an Attorney-at-Law and has spent the majority of her career working in government. As Clerk she has worked to streamline systems and make them more efficient.

Republican Shaolin Brown is an early childhood educator and advocate, focused on transparency in elections, fair access to records and stronger community engagement as County Clerk.

Board of County Commissioners

Democrat Cathleen Lewis is an incumbent running for her second term. She served on Lawrence Council for ten years, including a 2-year term as Mayor.

Democrat Nina Melker has worked in the banking industry for 40 years and is an incumbent running for her third term.

Republican Alexander DiFalco is a 2024 graduate of Steinert High School, currently a history major attending The College of New Jersey.

Republican Daniel Hanley, Jr., lives in Hopewell Township where he is a certified financial planner, Partner & Wealth Manager at Princeton Global Asset Management.

Princeton Council

Democrat Michelle Pirone Lambros is an incumbent running for her third term.

Democrat Mia Sacks is an incumbent also running for her third term.

CASTING YOUR VOTES

If you have already received a Vote-by-Mail ballot, you can fill it out and send it back as soon as it’s complete. Be sure it is placed in a Secure Drop Box or postmarked by June 10^th. If you are heading to the polls, read this issue’s other articles for perspectives from a Democrat and a Republican, as well as to familiarize yourself with all eleven major party gubernatorial candidates – a race that will prove to be impactful not only for the Garden State but nationwide.

New Jersey is one of two states in the nation that holds its election for governor the year after a Presidential election. And in 2025, after two terms leading the Garden State, Phil Murphy must step aside. This opening has led many to throw their hats into the ring, with six Democrats and five Republicans on the Primary Election Day ballots. On June 10^th (or before through Vote-by-Mail and Early Voting), all registered Democrat, Republican and Unaffiliated (with a declaration at the polls) voters can weigh in to help determine the final two Major Party candidates that will go head-to-head in the General Election. (You can read more about registering, who can cast your votes and where, District 16 and all other candidates here).

The candidates include people serving in Congress, Mayors, former and current State Senators, a talk show host, union President and some newer to politics. As Dr. Kristoffer Shields shared with Princeton Perspectives in January, for 50 years neither party has held the New Jersey governorship for more than two consecutive terms. Does that mean a Republican has the advantage? Not if the Dems have their way. The race is on. All care about New Jersey and want your vote. But which one is best for Mercer County? Read on to see what each candidate stands for and their message to local voters.

DEMOCRATS FOR GOVERNOR

Ras Baraka is currently serving as Mayor of Newark, a role he’s held since 2014. As Newark’s Mayor, Baraka says his focus has been on improving lives of working families. A progressive leader, he has mandated that 20% of all new developments be affordable housing, implemented Newark’s first climate action plan, and reduced chronic homelessness.

As governor, he seeks to further equity and bridge the gaps between the state’s wealthiest and lowest income earners with more affordable housing, expanded Medicaid services, as well as promoting more affordable and accessible healthcare. Baraka wants to make it easier for New Jerseyans to vote and make government more transparent. He believes there is much work to be done to advance policies to fight climate change.

Steve Fulop has been Mayor of Jersey City since 2013. As governor, he hopes to restore trust in elected leadership. With a commitment to protecting the environment and improving the state’s energy infrastructure, Fulop would also like to double the affordable housing production to meet NJ’s needs. He believes there is a lot of work to be done in criminal justice reform and seeks to continue to enhance an already strong education system with some funding reforms, universal Pre-K and improved services. If elected, Fulop would like to expand paid family leave and eliminate hurdles to child-care, as well as create a more integrated public health system statewide.

“While my experience has been as a mayor in North Jersey, the concerns residents face are remarkably similar throughout New Jersey, and real solutions require actual experience delivering results. That’s why our campaign is the only one offering detailed, in-depth policy plans across a wide range of issues, which I encourage voters to explore at stevenfulop.com/policies. Affordability remains the overriding issue for families across the state, and tackling the corruption tax, the inflated costs driven by entrenched political interests, will be a top priority. I’ve built my career standing up to political machines, and as governor, I’ll continue to lead with independence and put the interests of New Jersey residents first,” shares Mayor Fulop.

Josh Gottheimer has been U.S. Congressman for NJ’s 5^th District since 2016. His priority, as what he describes as the ‘Lower Taxes, Lower Costs’ Governor, will be to lower residents’ costs for utilities, childcare, housing, healthcare and food. Gottheimer aims to counter President Trump’s tariffs by getting New Jersey products exempt from reciprocal tariffs and says he wants to ensure people are protected on everything from funding cuts to healthcare access for LGBTQ+ and women.

“Since launching my campaign, I’ve traveled to every corner of the state, including Mercer County—and one issue comes up everywhere I go: New Jersey is just too expensive. From property taxes to rents to utility bills to Trump’s reckless tariffs that are jacking up prices, families are getting crushed. I’m running for governor to change that. I’ll fight to lower taxes and lower costs for everyone, and I’m the only candidate who has released detailed, expert-backed plans that lay out exactly how I’ll do it. Too many people can’t afford to stay in Jersey when they graduate, to raise a family, or when they retire. I’ll cut property taxes by nearly 15%, give renters an annual rebate, lower income taxes for families, give seniors who have lived here a “Senior Bonus,” and incentivize people and jobs to move to Jersey, so we can grow our economy,” Gottheimer states. “We’ve also got to fight Donald Trump when he messes with Jersey families. I’ve laid out a roadmap for how I’ll defend our communities and stop Trump’s attacks on our seniors, on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, on our families, our rights, and our state. I have a long record of getting things done and solving the toughest problems. From helping negotiate, write, and pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, which is fixing our roads, bridges, and building the Gateway Train Tunnel, to passing the first commonsense gun safety bill in decades to the largest investment to fight climate change ever, I’ve always taken on fights that people said were impossible. I’m tenacious and tough and I won’t stop fighting until we get the job done.”

Mikie Sherrill was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for NJ’s 11^th District in 2018. As governor, she plans to make NJ more affordable with regards to housing, food and healthcare. She intends to uphold a woman’s right to choose, by permanently protecting it in the state constitution. Making childcare affordable, improving public transportation and curbing flooding are top priorities for her. As governor, Sherrill wants to boost the technology sector across the state while ensuring that online safety is protected. Supporting working families and making their lives better is her goal.

“As I’ve traveled across the state, including in Mercer County, I’ve heard the same story over and over: costs are just too high and it’s too hard for New Jersey families to get ahead. As governor, I’ll bring a different kind of leadership to Trenton to change that. I’ll put innovation and common sense to work to drive real solutions to bring down housing, health care, and utility bills, and I encourage Mercer residents to take a look at my Affordability Agenda. I will also work collaboratively with county and local leaders to make sure Mercer County is getting the funding it needs from the state so residents can thrive, whether that’s through smart infrastructure planning, upgrading our public transit system, expanding workforce housing, or increased support for small businesses. And I’ll fight hard to protect programs like Medicaid and SNAP, along with federal grant dollars that are critical to supporting Mercer County residents. I look forward to being a good partner to Mercer County and ensuring that the state pays its fair share in revitalizing and supporting our Capital City,” said Mikie Sherrill. 

Sean Spiller was Mayor of Montclair for one term and now works as the President of New Jersey Education Association (NJEA). Making sure that people can afford to live in NJ, through affordable housing, childcare and healthcare, are his top priorities as governor. With a goal of clean energy by 2035, Spiller seeks to expand the EV structure and tax credit, invest in aging infrastructure and efficiency. As a labor leader, he wants to create more jobs with better wages and hopes to improve on NJ’s strong education while supporting LGBTQ+ rights and gun sensible laws.

“As I’ve traveled across Mercer County, I’ve heard the same thing from so many voters: they want a governor who will stand up to the wealthy special interests and actually make New Jersey affordable again for hard working people. That’s why I’m running. I’m a high school science teacher, an immigrant, a mayor, and the proud father of two. I’m not the handpicked candidate in this race and I don’t have big corporate donors, but I am the candidate who will actually deliver lower prices, quality health care, real transit solutions, and bring down the cost to rent or buy a home. I’m also the one candidate with the experience standing up to bullies like Donald Trump and the rich developers and wall street insiders who think they can buy their way into the Governor’s office,” shares Spiller.

Steve Sweeney represented the 3^rd Legislative District in the NJ Senate for 20 years, until 2022, serving as its President for his last 12 years. After raising a daughter with down syndrome, he became a champion for people with disabilities and wants to continue ensuring access and opportunity, fighting for good education reform and to ensure parents have what they need to care for their families. Sweeney plans to lower housing costs through assistance and tax credits, promises no new taxes under his administration and has plans to lower energy costs. Improving quality of life through better infrastructure as well as protections for LGBTQ+, reproductive freedom are priorities.

“He fought for millions in funding for Mercer public schools, including $20 million in additional funding for schools in Trenton,” shares Sweeney Press Secretary, Kerry Lyons. “Now, as he runs for governor, he is focused on lowering costs in New Jersey with his detailed and bold vision. He’s committed to making New Jersey more resilient and affordable with his Builders Agenda, pledging to take an all-of-the-above energy approach, build 200,000 affordable housing units, and modernize the state’s infrastructure while creating new, good-paying jobs in Mercer County, and he’ll fully fund Stay NJ and eliminate the retirement income tax for those who need it most. Moreover, he’ll support Mercer’s higher education institutions in the face of a Trump Administration that is gutting the Department of Education with his higher education plan and the establishment of a new state agency to strengthen partnerships with both the state and capital to boost research and development and bring in more funding in resources to our universities, county colleges, and trade schools.”

REPUBLICANS FOR GOVERNOR

Justin Barbera is new to politics, having run a construction company for 20 years, representing homeowners in insurance claims. He says, “Enough is enough, uncompromised,” and hopes, as governor, he can eliminate what he describes as New Jerseyans being taken advantage of through insurance, whether for home, auto or healthcare. The first thing Barbera plans to do is to expose government corruption, and through executive order, ensure that gun rights are maintained.

“As a contractor, I understand our infrastructure and Mercer County has a lot of infrastructure problems such as housing, transportation and energy. I want to bring that to the forefront and make NJ shine, using technologies used around the world that we can implement right here,” Barbera explains. “Piazo electricity, for example, is used in Tokyo on the subway where it generates energy back into the grid through foot traffic. I’d like to evolve that into road energy as well. I am uncompromised, I haven’t taken any tax dollars or donations for this campaign. I’m #1 on the ballot in Mercer, I’m the lunchbox candidate for NJ this year. The first time in state history that an unfunded candidate of the people is on the ballot in the #1 spot.”

Jon Bramnick was chosen as the Republican leader of the State Assembly five times from 2012-2021 and has since been representing NJ’s 22^nd Legislative District in the Senate since 2022. He is also a founding partner of his law firm in Scotch Plains and has taught business law as assistant professor at Rider University and an adjunct professor at Rutgers University. He has worked, and hopes to continue as governor, to lower the cost of living across the state, stop the building and overturn court mandated housing and end the catch and release policy to make NJ a safer place for all.

“Municipalities across Mercer County are facing an onslaught of mandated high-density housing. These large-scale developments are placing huge burdens on the infrastructure, emergency services and classrooms. As the Assembly Republican Leader and State Senator I have worked to end this state mandated over-development and as governor I will put an end to the town-by-town mandates and return to a regional approach for affordable housing decisions,” states Bramnick.

He continues, “My first priority as governor is to end the billion-dollar, last minute, pork spending in the budget that has driven up taxes in New Jersey and consolidate the budget to reduce the tax burden on our residents to make the State more affordable.”

Jack Ciattarelli is a small business owner, entrepreneur and former District 16 Assemblyman who lost in a tight race to incumbent Governor Phil Murphy in 2021. By capping property taxes and reducing income taxes, he hopes to help make NJ more affordable. Ciattarelli aims to trim unnecessary government spending and enact term limits for state legislators. By lowering insurance costs, ensuring more healthcare is covered and defending individual rights he hopes NJ will again be the state where people want to live and will thrive.

“It was my honor to serve the residents of District 16 in the State Assembly. It wasn’t an easy district to win, Democrats outnumber Republicans by a lot, but I won by focusing on the issues that matter to all of us and going anywhere to talk to anyone with dignity and respect. Some will remember, I put my district office in Princeton & knocked more doors there than any candidate had before or since.

I’m running for governor to fix the major crises that are crippling our state; affordability, public safety, public education & overdevelopment. Our taxes are too high. Individuals and businesses in New Jersey are among the highest taxed in the world. It’s forcing families, retirees, and entrepreneurs out. We can fix it. I will on Day One,” Ciattarelli states. “On public safety, bail reform has been a failed experiment. We’ve seen crimes like car thefts and home invasions skyrocket with professional criminals who know they’ll get released the next day. It has to stop. On public education, New Jersey just slipped from 2nd to 12th on the national scorecard. In failing districts like Newark, we see entire generations below grade level in reading & math. We need high impact curriculums, a return to basics, an emphasis on skill & job trainings, and a new school funding formula. On overdevelopment, we need to make all housing more affordable through tax code changes & we need to stop forcing suburbs to build housing where there isn’t infrastructure to support it, it just doesn’t make sense. It’s taking the garden out of our Garden State.”

Mario Kranjac is an attorney, venture capitalist and former Mayor of Englewood Cliffs that wants to make NJ great again. With a plan to cut property taxes 2% each year of his term, Kranjac wants to also protect NJ residents by working with President Trump to secure the border, being tough on crime, and making government more transparent. As a businessman, he intends to cut regulations and taxes to promote small business growth. Kranjac says it a priority to ensure schools educate, not indoctrinate, and protect life from conception.

“My top priority will be addressing the affordability crisis New Jerseyans are facing and which is caused by the out-control cost of government.  We’ll cut taxes, cut spending, end wasteful programs, and eliminate duplicative offices like the County School Superintendents.  On day one, we’ll repeal Murphy’s green agenda to get electricity prices down, end New Jersey’s sanctuary state status, and eliminate the $1 million line item from Murphy’s budget to fight President Trump in court. We’ll also eradicate unconstitutional high-density housing mandates from state law and reform school funding so that the money follows the child, and parents have radical choice in their children’s education. My election integrity plan to require hand-marked, hand-counted paper ballots will be particularly helpful to Mercer County residents who suffered terrible voter disenfranchisement during the 2022 midterm elections.”

Bill Spadea is an entrepreneur and media personality who wants to cut waste and lower taxes as NJ’s Governor. By cooperating with the federal government on illegal immigration and focusing on repairing and improving the crumbling infrastructure across the state, he feels NJ can have a brighter future.

“My wife Jodi and I chose Princeton as the place to dig our roots and build our foundation. I’ve been in this town and culture of this town for the past 20 years. We love it. What I’ve found is that none of the politicians running for governor speak to anything related to the hyper-local feeling people get when they read Princeton Perspectives or listen to my radio show. I learned a lot with my show. I had no intention of running for governor. But I talked about what impacted people and I listened and heard a level of frustration that’s off the charts. My ratings would go up the worse things got. I got sick of it,” Spadea explained. “The Republicans were poised to nominate Jack again. That’s what drove me to run. Normal families, average people that worry about potholes because they can’t afford $800 to fix their tires, regular folks who think the school agenda has gotten too radical, they deserve a voice. Something had to break, and I decided to run based on that.

We’re going to fix it by establishing accountability in government affordability, by lowering our taxes and improving public safety. That is the basis for the policies I’m going to implement when I’m governor. I will have 100 executive orders to implement in first 100 days in office. I’m not going to wait for the legislature. I’m going to root out what’s broken and deal directly with stakeholders to end a lot of these subsidies and misallocation of funds. The first thing I’m going to do is declare a state of emergency and suspend bail reform. It started with good intentions but has devolved with a revolving door for criminals to get out of jail. You can’t have liberty and prosperity if you don’t have safe streets. The 2^nd thing is going to be to end sanctuary for illegal aliens. That means a huge savings for tax payers. The estimated cost of illegal immigration is above $7B in our state. That’s hurting families and small businesses We have to provide them relief.”

CASTING YOUR VOTES

If you have already received your Vote-by-Mail ballot, you can fill it out and either place it in a Secure Drop Box or mail it back. Unaffiliated voters can affiliate in advance or simply show up to the polls and declare a party to vote for. All voters can read Your Vote on Primary Day Can Impact the Races for District 16 and the State to learn about where and when to vote and all the other candidates that will appear on the ballot.

Educate yourself now, vote by June 10^th.