New Jersey’s 2025 primary election is officially set, and it’s unlike anything the state has seen in a long time. This year, 11 people are running for governor, and 211 are competing for seats in the State Assembly. This statewide election is the first to use the new ballot format, which does not include party “lines.”
The governor’s race, opened by term limits that prevent incumbent Governor Phil Murphy from seeking a third term, has drawn six Democrats and five Republicans, each hoping to claim what is considered one of the most powerful gubernatorial seats in the country.
On the Democratic side, the six candidates are Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer of the 5th District, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill of the 11th District, former Senate President Steve Sweeney, and New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller. All six filed well above the new minimum requirement of 2,500 signatures. For example, Baraka submitted over 10,800 signatures.
Meanwhile, on the Republican side, the candidates are former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, State Senator Jon Bramnick, radio host Bill Spadea, former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac, and contractor Justin Barbera. Ciattarelli, who nearly beat Murphy in 2021, submitted over 5,500 signatures. Barbera and Kranjac barely cleared the 2,500-signature minimum. Kranjac only had 2,535 valid signatures after 486 were rejected. Because of this, he could face a challenge that might remove him from the ballot.
Just before the filing deadline, one Republican candidate dropped out. Ed Durr, who became famous for defeating Steve Sweeney in a 2021 Senate race, ended his campaign on March 25. He said he didn’t meet the rules to qualify for public matching funds.
Alongside the governor’s race, all 80 State Assembly seats are on the ballot this year, and the number of candidates is the highest since 1977. In total, 209 candidates filed for the Assembly: 123 Democrats and 86 Republicans. Two people are also running in a special election for a State Senate seat in the 35th District.
One major reason for the increase in candidates is the end of the party “line” on the ballot. Before this change, party-endorsed candidates appeared together in the same column, which helped them win. Now, all candidates are listed in the same office block, and voters must choose between them without party grouping. This gives lesser-known candidates a better chance and has encouraged more people to run.
Another factor is the higher number of signature requirements. New laws raised the threshold to run for Assembly from 100 to 250 valid signatures and for governor from 1,000 to 2,500. Despite the tougher rules, many candidates still joined the race, though some might still be removed through petition challenges before April 2.
In the State Assembly races, 24 Democratic primaries and seven Republican ones are contested. In many districts, the new system has brought fresh energy and unexpected candidates. Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, who is running for governor, has helped fund and organize 37 Assembly candidates under a group called “Democrats for Change.” These candidates run in 23 of the 40 legislative districts, often against sitting lawmakers supported by county party organizations.
For example, in Hudson County’s 32nd District, six Democratic candidates are competing for two seats. Incumbent Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez is running with Jersey City Councilman Yousef Saleh as part of Fulop’s slate. They are going up against Hudson County Democratic Organization picks Jennie Pu and Crystal Fonseca, as well as Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and former state housing official Katie Brennan, who formed their own team.
The 31st District also features a fight between Fulop and the county party. Assemblywoman Barbara McCann Stamato and Bayonne Councilwoman Jacqueline Weimmer are on Fulop’s slate. They are facing party-backed Assemblyman William Sampson and Hudson Commissioner Jerry Walker.
In the nearby 33rd District, Assemblyman Gabe Rodriguez is running with Larry Wainstein, backed by State Senator and Union City Mayor Brian Stack. Fulop’s team includes Tony Hector and Frank Alonso, a former Republican who recently switched parties. All these candidates are running in a district that covers towns like Union City, North Bergen, and West New York.
In Bergen County’s 37th District, the situation is similar. Incumbents Shama Haider and Ellen Park are facing Fulop-backed Tamar Warburg and Daniel Park, as well as former Teaneck Mayor Yitz Stern and real estate agent Rosemary Hernandez Carroll.
Beyond Hudson and Bergen counties, many other districts are seeing intense races. In District 1, Democratic Mayor Carol Sabo is running against Fulop-backed engineer Carolyn Rush and Princeton student Brandon Saffold. In District 2, two Fulop candidates, Bruce Weekes, and Lisa Bonanno, face party-backed Democrats Maureen Rowan and Joanne Famularo.
In South Jersey’s 3rd District, former Assemblywoman Beth Sawyer dropped out just before the deadline, leaving Gloucester County Commissioner Christopher Konawel and Harrison Township Committeeman Lawrence Moore to run unopposed in the Republican primary. They’ll face Assemblymembers Dave Bailey and Heather Simmons, who won their seats last year.
District 4, covering Camden and Gloucester counties, will have primaries on both sides. Democrats Dan Hutchison and Cody Miller are being challenged by Fulop candidates Vonetta Hawkins and Brian Everett. Republicans Amanda Esposito and Gerard McManus are facing Barbara McCormick.
In District 6, Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald and Assemblywoman Melinda Kane face Fulop challengers Becky Holloway and Kevin Ryan. The Republican side includes Peter Sykes and Jack Brangan.
District 7 has a contest between Fulop-backed Bordentown Mayor Eric Holliday, incumbent Assemblyman Balvir Singh, and Assemblywoman Carol Murphy. In District 8, Andrea Katz and Anthony Angelozzi are running again as Democrats. But Fulop’s team is also running former Evesham Councilman Eddie Freeman, which could split the Democratic vote.
In the Republican 9th and 10th districts, Fulop’s Democrats will automatically advance to November since no party-endorsed Democrats filed. These candidates, including Rosalee Keech, Donald Campbell, Debra Di Donato, and Phil Nufrio, are not expected to win, but their presence signals how far Fulop’s influence is spreading.
In the 14th District, Dave Luciano is challenging incumbents Wayne DeAngelo and Tennille McCoy. In District 28, newcomer Chigozie Onyema is running with support from Essex and Union counties. Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker is also running, but Assemblywoman Garnet Hall dropped out after losing party support.
In the 15th District, Assemblymembers Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and Anthony Verrelli are the only legislators without opponents in either party. In the 19th District, Speaker Craig Coughlin and Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez face only one challenger, Michelle Burwell.
In the 39th District, Republican Assemblymen Bob Auth and John Azzariti are being challenged by former congressional candidate Frank Pallotta. Democrats in that district will choose between Fulop’s Andrew LaBruno, David Jiang, and county-backed Donna Abene and Damon Englese.
The general election will take place in November, but first, the primary will be held on June 10. Only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote in their party’s primary, although unaffiliated voters can declare a party at the polls.
