For two months, South Jersey residents have been overwhelmed by television and social media advertisements – as well as flyers – from the 11 candidates who hope to be New Jersey’s next governor.
They can expect more. Six Democrats and five Republicans will battle it out for their respective nominations in the primary election on Tuesday, June 10. The winners will run in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
The Democrats are Sean Spiller, Steve Sweeney, Mikie Sherrill, Steven Fulop, Ras J. Baraka and Josh Gottheimer. The Republicans are Jack Ciattarelli, Justin Barbera, Bill Spadea, Mario M. Kranjac and Jon Bramnick.
Democratic candidates
Sean Spiller has been president of the New Jersey Education Association since 2021. Before that, he was a teacher who served as both mayor of Montclair and a member of its council.
Steve Sweeney is a former ironworker who was state senate president and represented the 3rd District for 20 years. Sweeney was also a member of the Gloucester County Board of Commissioners.
Navy veteran Mikie Sherril has been a member of Congress representing New Jersey since 2019. She was also a private practice lawyer who also worked for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Steven Fulop, a Marine, has been the mayor of Jersey City since 2013. Before that, he was a member Jersey City council and worked in finance.
Ras J. Baraka has been the mayor of Newark since 2014, before which he was a member of its council. He was both a high-school teacher and a principal.
Josh Gottheimer has been a member of Congress representing the state since 2016. He worked for Microsoft as a strategist and was a speechwriter for former President Bill Clinton.
Republican candidates
Jack Ciattarelli lost the gubernatorial primary in 2017 and the general election to Gov. Phil Murphy in 2021, and was a member of the state assembly from 2011 to 2018. He was the assistant minority whip for five of those years.
Justin Barbera grew up in Marlton and graduated from Holy Cross High School in Delran. He has worked as a real estate developer and general contractor, and supports charities such as Habitat for Humanity.
Bill Spadea, a Marine, has been the host of radio’s “Bill Spadea Show” and “Chasing News.” He ran for a Congressional seat in in 2004 and for state assembly in 2012.
Mario M. Cranjak was mayor of Englewood Cliffs for two terms, and is an attorney and venture capitalist in life sciences.
Jon Bramnick is a state senator who has represented District 21 since 2022, and has been a member of and minority leader in the assembly for 19 years.
State assembly candidates
In the 5th District representing towns in Camden and Gloucester counties, the candidates running unopposed in the June 10 primary election are vying for two seats in the state assembly. They are Democrats William F. Moen Jr. and William W. Spearman and Republicans Constance Lee Ditzel and Nilsa Gonzalez, who are also unopposed.
In the 7th District representing towns in Burlington County, candidates running in the June 10 primary election are vying for two seats in the state assembly. There are three Democratic candidates, incumbent Carol Murphy and incumbent Balvir Singh, who are running on the party line, and Eric Holliday, who is running for Democrats for Change. Republican candidates, Dione Johnson and Doug Dillon, are running unopposed.
Camden County commissioners
Running unopposed for two seats are Democrats Edward T. McDonnell and Colleen Bianco Bezich. Jennifer Fleisher is running unopposed for one unexpired seat. Republicans Christian A. Navarro and Robert Stone are running unopposed for two full terms, and Shane Bernat is running unopposed for the unexpired seat.
Camden County surrogate
Democrat Michelle Gentek-Mayer is running unopposed, as is Republican Adam Nieves.
Gloucester County commissioners
Democrats Frank DiMarco and Denice DiCarlo are running unopposed for two seats. Republicans Jonathan Sammons and Bryon Driscoll are also unopposed.
Burlington County commissioners
Democrat Allison Eckel is running unopposed for a full term, and Randy Brolo is running unopposed for an unexpired term. Republican Joe Abegg is running unopposed for the full term, and Nick Pawlyzyn is running unopposed for the unexpired term.
Burlington County sheriff
Democrat James Kostoplis is running unopposed, as is Republican Erik Johnston.
