2024 Democratic Primary - June 4th
SOMA Action is a grassroots organization in South Orange and Maplewood NJ focused on driving progressive change. Below is information on the races that appear on the 2024 Democratic Primary ballot in SOMA, including links and SOMA Action endorsements for select races. We are unabashedly progressive and seek to provide useful and transparent information about the issues affecting our towns.
Please note that this is a work in progress. Some races have little information publicly available and the decline of local journalism has severely impacted efforts to hold politicians accountable. If you are interested in helping develop voter guides now or in the future, please contact info@somaaction.org.
If you are a candidate wishing to correct an error/omission or provide links to more information, please contact info@somaaction.org.
Key Endorsements and Recommendations
U.S. Senate: SOMA Action endorses Andy Kim
About My Ballot
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Below is a sample ballot for Maplewood, District 1. Your ballot will look similar, except that each district has different candidates for County Committee, and South Orange residents will not vote for Maplewood Township Committee.
image|Maplewood sample ballot|#
All candidates for each race are grouped directly under the office they are seeking. Be sure to bubble in only one candidate for all races except Township Committee and County Committee, where you can vote for up to two candidates.
As of this year, ballots are no longer allowed to group candidates for different offices together as a single, horizontal slate. Instead, all candidates for an office are grouped together in one column under the name of the office they are seeking, with order determined randomly. The fact that two candidates are next to each other in a row does NOT mean they are running together or have platforms that are in any way similar.
Underneath each candidate’s name is a slogan in italics. The slogan “Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc.” indicates that a candidate has been endorsed by the county Democratic Party. Any other slogan has been chosen by the candidate to represent their candidacy. Candidates who are running together can be identified based on who has matching slogans under their names.
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Up until this year, New Jersey was the only state in the country allowed to use what is called the “county line” ballot design. In this layout, party endorsed candidates appeared all together on one line (generally the first) while competing candidates were placed off the line in harder to find areas. Every other state (and two NJ counties) used an “office block” ballot design that groups candidates by office.
The “county line” has had a massive impact on election outcomes. Research found that U.S. House and Senate candidates do an average of 38 percentage points better when they appear “on-the-line” versus off it. As a result, viable candidates who do not receive the endorsement have had a strong incentive to drop out, leading to fewer contested races and even fewer races that are meaningfully competitive. This in turn leads to less democratic accountability, less responsiveness to constituents, and politicians who are beholden to the party machine rather than to voters. It also creates incentives for corruption, since many of the party leaders who are making the endorsements also make significant money from lobbying or state jobs.
Fortunately, as of this year, the ballot is changing. After years of effort by good government groups around the state (including SOMA Action!), New Jersey is finally moving toward using a simple and fair “office block” ballot. How did this happen? Indivisible’s Co-Executive Director Ezra Levin describes it in his April 7th email newsletter):
“Last year, New Jersey’s senior Democratic Senator Bob Menendez was found to have been hiding bribes of literal gold bars in his house. Nonetheless, Menendez insisted he'd run for reelection. Congressman Andy Kim was one of the first elected officials to say that that was unacceptable -- and he put his money where his mouth was by throwing his own hat into the ring for the Senate race. But most observers thought Andy had little hope of winning because the governor’s wife, Tammy Murphy, was also eyeing the seat. The political machine in New Jersey is so powerful that it didn’t matter that Murphy was a major GOP donor who voted for George W. Bush twice, had never held elective office, and wasn’t sure about filibuster reform. Because of the machine’s support, most pundits described her as “unstoppable.”...
“Andy courted everyday New Jersey voters in his attempt to take on the corrupt machine. Ten local New Jersey Indivisible groups endorsed Andy Kim late last year, and they called on Indivisible National to come in with an endorsement… Andy was gaining steam, winning county conventions in the lead up to the statewide primary date this summer. At the same time, Andy filed a federal lawsuit arguing that the line disenfranchised voters.
“The [end of March] saw three major developments in this story:
New Jersey’s own attorney general, who had worked for and been appointed by the governor, declined to defend the political machine’s wacky ballot in court.
Then the governor’s wife, Tammy Murphy, suddenly dropped out of the race, ending what everybody thought would be a bitter primary fight.
And finally, [on March 29th], the federal judge ruled the machine’s decades-old ballot design unconstitutional, and denied appeal.
“Wow.
“What started as an improbable campaign by an outsider candidate and a doomed lawsuit against the powerful political machine turned into nothing less than a pro-democracy upheaval for the entire state. As my former grad school professor wrote, “New Jersey Politics will never the same.””
Those Indivisible groups that endorsed Andy Kim early and helped kick this whole thing off? That was us! SOMA Action was the first Indivisible group to endorse Andy Kim, and we worked tirelessly to bring other groups along and secure the national endorsement.
So pat yourself on the back, SOMA Action members, all your hard work does make a difference! The court fights aren’t over, and the ballot design still needs to be improved, but we’ve helped make a huge stride toward having fair and competitive elections where voters have real choices and politicians are accountable to their voters.
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Vote by Mail: If you do not already receive a vote by mail ballot, you may request one by printing and mailing this form by May 28th. Once you have filled out your ballot, you may drop it off in any drop box (one is located in the South Orange Gazebo by the train station and another at the Hilton Library Branch in Maplewood) or mail it. Mail ballots must be postmarked by 8 pm on Election Day.
Vote Early In Person: Early In Person voting will be available May 29th-June 2nd. Look here for polling locations and hours. They are NOT the same as your election day polling place.
Vote on Election Day: Find your polling place here. Polls will be open from 6 am - 8 pm on election day (June 4th).
Federal Races
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Primary is not competitive. General is a toss up.
Incumbent Joe Biden has already won enough delegates to be the Democratic nominee. A summary of Biden’s policy record (prior to the Republicans taking control of the House) can be found here. Biden will face Donald Trump in the general election, which is currently considered a toss up.
In the primary, New Jersey voters also have the option to vote for “Uncommitted,” which the Democratic Socialists of America placed on the ballot as a way to cast a protest vote against the Biden administration’s support for the war in Gaza.
Anti-abortion activist Terrisa Bukovinac is also on the ballot in an attempt to use FCC rules providing political candidates with “reasonable access” to television advertising to argue that stations must air graphic anti-abortion ads when they would otherwise refuse to do so.
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SOMA Action’s Endorsement:
Background
Primary used to be competitive, but no longer is. General election is solid Dem, but not certain.
Andy Kim is the only remaining candidate with a viable path to the nomination. However, SOMA Action is very enthusiastic about him and endorsed him back in October of 2023 when the primary was still contested.
Originally, the Senate primary was a competitive primary between U.S. Representative Andy Kim and N.J. First Lady Tammy Murphy, both vying to take over the seat after incumbent Senator Robert Menendez’s support collapsed amid jaw-dropping corruption indictments. Activists Patricia Campos-Median and Lawrence Hamm also declared, although neither had a viable path to the nomination. As described under “Why does my ballot look different” above, a grassroots rebellion against the party machine’s attempt to replace the country’s most corrupt senator with the Governor’s wife ultimately resulted in Kim filing a lawsuit against the “county line” and winning an injunction that struck down the whole system for at least the 2024 Democratic primary. (Murphy dropped out shortly before the ruling).
We at SOMA Action are deeply grateful to Congressman Kim for delivering on his campaign promise to promote democracy here at home – before he even takes office – and we are delighted to have a Senate candidate we can be genuinely enthusiastic about.
Although neither of the other two candidates have a viable path to the nomination, both are quite progressive. Information about all three candidates is available here:
A debate between the three candidates is scheduled for May 13th at 6 pm at SOPAC. Registration and live streaming links can be accessed here. The Maplewood Dems also hosted a meet and greet for Patricia Campos-Medina that can be viewed here.
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Primary is not competitive. Solid Democrat for the general election.
Incumbent Representative Mikie Sherrill has had strong support from Democrats across her district ever since she flipped a Republican district in 2018 and is widely expected to be a competitive contender for Governor in 2025. She will certainly win this primary.
Sherrill’s congressional campaign platform can be found here, and a Progressive Punch rating of her voting record can be found here. SOMA Action is mainly focused on evaluating her as a potential gubernatorial candidate and will release that analysis in 2025.
Sherrill is being challenged in the primary by Mark De Lotto, who does not appear to have either a formal campaign or a website. His ideas about what he would like to do differently in Congress can be found on his substack.
County Races
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Uncontested primary. Safe Democrat for the general election.
The Essex County Register of Deeds and Mortgages preserves and records property transactions within Essex County. There is absolutely no good reason why this is an elected position instead of being folded into the County Clerk’s office like in most other counties. The Register needs to be a competent administrator, but there are no policy issues for voters to provide directions on.
Information about the incumbent Register can be found here. SOMA Action has not dug into this race to evaluate how good a job the current Register is doing, but if anyone is interested in doing so, please contact info@somaaction.org.
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Contested primary, competitiveness unclear. Safe Democrat for the general election.
Background
The Essex County Sheriff is one of several state/local law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over SOMA residents. The Sheriff’s Office patrols county parks, provides security for all county facilities including the courts, conducts narcotics investigations and raids, supports emergency management and counter-terrorism preparation, carries out foreclosures, and serves a variety of administrative functions. The Sheriff is the only elected law enforcement officer in SOMA. Local police chiefs are appointed by municipal governments, and prosecutors (whose election is often a way for voters in other states to guide law enforcement priorities) are appointed by the governor.
The current sheriff announced his retirement one week before the deadline for candidates to file to be on the ballot. Two days later, the Essex County Democratic municipal chairs met to endorse Amir Jones, an Essex County Undersheriff and the son of the Essex County Democratic Party Chair, as the new sheriff. This decision gave him the “county line,” which would normally guarantee a win (see “About my ballot” above). But then the Line got overturned, creating a potentially competitive election between him and retired captain Gary Nash.
SOMA Action reached out to both candidates with a questionnaire. Gary Nash’s responses are here. Amir Jones did not respond.
A scan of candidates’ campaign literature is available for Jones and Nash. Additional information can also be found about Gary Nash on his Twitter feed.
Issues
Nepotism
SOMA Action opposes nepotism. While relatives of political figures may sometimes be qualified candidates, the Essex County Democratic Committee should not have given the Chairman’s son, Amir Jones, the party endorsement without any meaningful democratic process or public vetting.
Competency
It has been next to impossible to independently determine how good a job either candidate would do managing an organization with a $44 million budget. Amir Jones is currently an Undersheriff (see org chart) overseeing all of Field Operations. He has served in the Sheriff’s office for almost a decade and been endorsed by the outgoing sheriff. Prior to his retirement in 2022, Gary Nash served for 32 years, working his way up to the rank of captain and overseeing different divisions at a level just below that of Undersheriff.
SOMA Action asked candidates about their qualifications on our questionnaire. Gary Nash’s response is here. Amir Jones did not respond.
Progressive Policies
SOMA residents would like to know about candidates’ support for a variety of issues: protecting civil liberties, support for restorative justice, how to reduce the harm caused by policing and the War on Drugs, and protecting residents from police violence and racial profiling. Update 5/17: Both candidates’ websites now have issue positions available (see here for Gary Nash and for Amir Jones). Nash’s speak more specifically to several of the progressive concerns mentioned above, including addressing systemic inequality, prioritizing de-escalation, and promoting restorative justice.
SOMA Action asked candidates how they would support progressive policies on our questionnaire. Gary Nash’s response is here. Amir Jones did not respond.
(Maplewood Only) Township Committee
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Contested primary. Safe Democrat for the general election. No Republican candidates have declared.
The five-person Maplewood Township Committee is the legislative body of Maplewood. Members serve three-year staggered terms so that one or two members are up for election each year. The Township Committee is responsible for passing laws, budgets, setting policy, and hiring key staff for the municipality. Maplewood does not have a directly elected mayor. Instead, the Township Committee elects one of their members to serve as Mayor and another to serve as Deputy Mayor for one-year terms.
Unlike in South Orange, the Maplewood Township Committee is a partisan office. Because of Maplewood’s heavily Democratic lean, this means that who is on the Township Committee will be decided by who wins the Democratic Primary. Mayor Nancy Adams and Deputy Mayor Jamaine Cripe are incumbents and are running together as a slate. They are being challenged by Malia Herman.
Candidate’s backgrounds and campaign websites can be found at the following links:
Adams & Cripe: Campaign website, Adams’ biography, Cripe’s biography
Herman: Campaign website, biography
See here for a personal note from the author of this guide on some of the complexities of reporting on this race.
SOMA Action sent all candidates a questionnaire. Responses are available here:
Tap Into SOMA Also sent questionnaires to the candidates. Responses are available for Adams, Cripe, and Herman. Additional coverage can also be found in the Village Green. One candidate forum was held by the Hilton Neighborhood Association. Reporting (including video) can be found here.
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Finances, Affordability, Safer Streets, & Accessibility
Most issues promoted on the candidates’ websites are ones that they all agree on. Everyone agrees that the Township’s finances need to be managed responsibly to keep taxes as low as possible while still maintaining services. Everyone agrees that affordability is important, including for seniors, and that Maplewood has been at the forefront of surrounding communities in terms of voluntarily supporting affordable housing. Candidates are generally in agreement that there’s not much more room for high density housing, that traffic is a concern, and that more needs to be done to develop safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists. Similarly, all candidates support greater access to the pool and swim lessons as well as ensuring accessibility and recreation opportunities for all residents, especially those who are neurodiverse.
Candidates have different levels of experience regarding these areas. Adams and Cripe are incumbents (first elected in 2015 and 2021, respectively). What they have worked on as elected officials and prior to that as volunteers is listed here. Herman is not an incumbent. Her work as a community volunteer can be found here. Adams also has professional expertise relevant to urban development.
Voters interested in more details about what incumbents have done to support affordability and what the challenger would like to do can watch candidates’ responses to a question at the Hilton Neighborhood Association Candidate Forum here, starting at 12:09. Voters interested in how candidates would approach developing safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists can watch the candidates discuss here, starting at 18:56.
SOMA Action sent a follow up questionnaire asking about why candidates are the best person to lead on these issues. Responses can be found under Question #2 at the following links: Adams, Cripe, Herman.
Fields that support both our sports teams and the environment
SOMA’s current grass sports fields are in bad condition, leading to injuries, canceled games due to unplayable fields, and different sports programs competing for field time. How to improve this situation has been the subject of intense debate both for Maplewood and the SOMA Unified School District over whether replacing grass with artificial turf would be an improvement.
SOMA Action’s Climate Committee strongly supports keeping grass fields, particularly given the EPA’s recent classification of PFAS chemicals (including those used in synthetic turf) as hazardous substances as well as concerns about taking away greenspace, flooding in neighboring areas, PFAS runoff into the Rahway river, cost, and synthetic turf becoming unusable during increasingly prevalent hot days. However, poorly maintained grass doesn’t serve our community. The Climate Committee released an open letter to our local governments with information about other municipalities that have dramatically improved their grass fields, including neighboring Glen Ridge, and recommendations for how to tap into this expertise to substantially improve our current fields. SOMA Action is looking for candidates who can improve our students’ access to sports without installing synthetic turf.
There are significant differences between the candidates on this issue. Adams and Cripe were two of the three “no” votes that voted down a bond measure to install synthetic turf on Ritzer field by Columbia High School. Herman would not have opposed it (see questionnaire response). Adams and Cripe responded to SOMA Action’s request to explore ways to increase field access without installing synthetic turf by reaching out to Glen Ridge to investigate options for improving grass turf and by looking into ways to turn existing hardscapes into additional fields (see video from candidate forum). Herman supports these measures as well, but also supports permitting synthetic turf (see questionnaire.
Candidates were asked about fields and synthetic turf on the SOMA Action questionnaire. Their responses are under Question #4 at the following links: Adams, Cripe, Herman.
Additional information about candidates’ views on fields can also be found here (starting at 41:35) as well as on their websites (Herman here, Adams and Cripe here).
County Committee (a.k.a District Leaders)
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Mostly uncontested races in the primary. Does not appear on the general election ballot. This is a “vote for two” race.
County Committee candidates are different for each of the 33 voting districts in South Orange and Maplewood. This year, there are competitive races in Maplewood Districts 7 & 8 and South Orange Districts 1, 4, and 6. There are two declared write in candidates in South Orange District 2 and one in South Orange District 7.
There are also several vacant seats: Maplewood District 14 (2 seats) and 3, 4, 13, 15, 16, and 20 (1 seat each) as well as South Orange Districts 2, 3, 7, 8, and 10 (2 seats each). If you wish to run as a write-in candidate and would like to be listed in this voter guide, please contact info@somaaction.org. District maps are available for Maplewood and South Orange (zoom in). To vote for a write-in candidate, simply write their name in the space provided on the ballot.
Please see below for information about your specific district and statements from the different slates of candidates who are running.
*Disclaimer: This voter guide has been prepared in large part by SOMA Action member Erika Malinoski, who is also on the ballot for District Leader. Many of the other candidates running under the “Fair Ballot Democrats” slogan are also members of SOMA Action. We strive to be fair to all candidates and are doing our best to reach out to everyone and publish their responses in full. If there are any omissions or errors, please contact Jeremy Dobrish at info@somaaction.org, who will help ensure that they are fixed promptly.
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Background
District Leaders serve on the Essex County Democratic Committee as their voters’ representatives to the Democratic Party. Unlike the Maplewood Township Committee or the Board of County Commissioners, County Committee members do not have any direct role in setting budgets or policies for local government. Instead, they are party officials (duties listed here) who get out the vote for Democrats, endorse candidates for local office (Maplewood only), and elect the County Chair and Executive Committee for the Essex County Democratic Committee. The County Chair (who is currently also the chair of the State Democratic Party) in turn wields enormous power over which candidates the Essex County Democratic Committee endorses in each primary. In past years, this endorsement gave these candidates the coveted “county line” and virtually guaranteed their victory. As a result, voters have been largely cut out of having a meaningful choice about who most of their representatives are, contributing to the machine politics for which New Jersey is famous. Even with the line gone, the endorsement provides a huge boost in the form of money and volunteer support.
Issues
Promoting democracy in Essex County
SOMA Action supports having a Democratic Party that is accountable to voters, that holds meaningful elections that do not have a predetermined outcome, and that models the highest level of commitment to integrity and transparency. In a time of rising authoritarianism, it is critical that we revitalize the connections between local governments and their citizens and create an engaged democracy that works for regular people.
Toward this end, SOMA Action’s Democracy Action Committee advocates for the following reforms:
Using an “office block” rather than a “county line” ballot design for all future elections (see discussion under “Why is my ballot different this year?”)
Awarding the party endorsement using a democratic vote like counties such as Mercer and Morris do, namely via a convention where district leaders vote via secret ballot to award the endorsement.
As parties make changes in response to a court ruling eliminating the county line for the 2024 Democratic Primary, SOMA Action believes it is a critical time to have District Leaders who will advocate for greater democracy and inclusion rather than allowing a few people to decide who holds office. Otherwise power becomes re-concentrated in the hands of only a few individuals.
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The South Orange and Maplewood Democratic Committees believe in unity and creating an environment with a diversity of thought, beliefs, culture, race, religion, and age to represent the community it serves. We are further committed to promoting democracy by doing everything we can to ensure that all eligible voters are registered and are fully informed about candidates running for office.
Our Committees support and have advocated for an office block ballot design, as well as a convention with voting by secret ballot to decide the endorsements of the Essex County Democratic Committee. Having said that, at this point, the “county line” is thankfully all but dead, and is a moot point for a campaign message. In fact, both of our committees are moving forward and are currently partnering with Democratic party district leaders in Montclair, West Orange, and other towns to work toward getting a convention in Essex County. We are committed to continue these collaborations as Essex County municipalities and leveraging best practices from each town. We are happy to tell you more about what our process is in greater detail.
When considering whom to vote for, we urge voters to ask candidates what their specific goals are in offering to bring about greater transparency and accountability in the Democratic Committee. The Fair Ballot Dems campaign message is that they are “working for fair, transparent, and accountable politics. NOT political machines.” What processes do they plan to use to enact these changes? Which municipalities, and which district leaders outside of South Orange and Maplewood do they plan to reach out to, or to coordinate with?
We urge voters to consider, if they want to see a more transparent and democratic process in Essex County, that there are over 1,000 district leaders in Essex County, and change is only possible by getting the majority of these committee members on board. Maplewood and South Orange are two small towns in one of the largest counties in the state, and our total number of district leaders is less than 8% of the total number of district leaders in the County. We urge voters to consider how “where SOMA leads, we make space for others to follow” may come across to district leaders in some of our larger committees in Newark, East Orange, or Irvington, and whether a message of presuming these communities will follow South Orange and Maplewood is the right one to bring to these district leaders.
We are concerned that a voter guide written and prepared by candidates on the ballot, and who hold leadership positions in the organization making the guide, may not be neutral and provide an unbiased presentation of candidates to voters. We feel that this is an inappropriate approach for offering an impartial voter guide.
Many of the statements written in this guide about the role of a district leader, while technically accurate, are not based in any practical reality about how the Essex County Democratic Committee actually operates or what the role and power of a district leader actually is. The most important role of the district leader is to get out the Democratic vote in their district, and to serve as a liaison between voters and the larger Democratic Party. We’d like to offer the District Leader Manual available on the Essex County Democratic Committee website, as well as the Maplewood Democratic Committee bylaws (specifically, Article 3, Section 5), which we hope will provide a more comprehensive and accurate representation of the role of a district leader.
We stand together to create a more unified and inclusive society. We would like to ask you to elect and re-elect the district leader candidates on our slate. These individuals have proven their willingness and commitment to the community. We are keen to ensure a solid victory for the Democrats in November 2024. Let's not lose sight of the real enemy in this election. We are excited about the future of our party and our role in it.
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What the Fair Ballot Democrats Stand For
As candidates running under the slogan "Fair Ballot Democrats," we are committed to bringing greater transparency, inclusivity, and fairness to the Democratic Party in Essex County.
We believe that District Leaders, as the only directly elected members of the Essex County Democratic Committee (ECDC), have the potential to play a robust and proactive role in shaping the direction of the party and ensuring that it represents the diverse interests of our community.
If elected, we pledge to collaborate to:
Work with our colleagues across Essex County to draft and sign a conflict-of-interest policy and ask leadership of ECDC to adopt it.
Continue to advocate for a permanent end to the county line ballot because it’s INCORRECT that the line has been eliminated. (The 3rd Circuit's ruling, while believed by some to have ended the county line ballot, only applied to the current primary, leaving its future uncertain. Furthermore, the 2024 Essex County primary ballot closely resembled the county line, failing to address several associated problems.)
Ensure that future ballot designs are meaningfully different from the traditional county line format, are subject to a transparent design process, and that candidates are randomly positioned by office using the office block model.
Increase scrutiny and transparency around county and municipal endorsements and party expenditures.
Push for a county convention with ballots that allow for members to vote their consciences.
In addition to these specific goals, we are fully committed to carrying out all the duties and responsibilities of District Leaders as outlined in the Essex District Leader Manual (2023), including:
Participating in the election of key party leadership positions to shape the direction, vision, and priorities of the Democratic Party at both the county and local levels.
Engaging in voter recruitment and registration efforts to expand the party's base and ensure that a broader spectrum of voices are represented in the democratic process.
Actively supporting and participating in campaign walks and events with local and county candidates.
Working with local and/or county organizations on fundraising activities when appropriate to secure the financial resources necessary for campaigns, party infrastructure, and essential initiatives.
Serving as liaisons to bring local issues to the attention of Democratic officeholders at all levels of government.
Networking with neighborhood activist groups, community groups, merchants, and civic associations to promote collaboration, strengthen community ties, and foster a greater sense of civic participation.
Ensuring that there are poll checkers and challengers in the districts, wards, or neighborhoods they represent on Election Day.
As Fair Ballot Democrats, we believe that by fulfilling these responsibilities and working towards our stated goals, we can build a Democratic Party that is open, accountable, and responsive to the needs of all Essex County residents. We look forward to earning your support and the opportunity to serve as your District Leaders.
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Some groups of candidates are choosing to release a single statement on behalf of all candidates running on their slogan. Please see those statements below. Some candidates also chose to release additional information, which is linked under the district they are running in.
If you are a candidate who would like to submit links to additional information (statements, bios, websites, etc). Please email the link to info@somaaction.org.
Statement from the Maplewood Democratic Committee:
Applies to all Maplewood candidates with the slogan “Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc.”
The MDC believes that our role is to educate and inform voters and, most of all, provide them with a meaningful choice, not to make decisions for them. We are incredibly proud of the ballot reform work that we accomplished a few years ago, which allowed for all local candidates, endorsed and unendorsed, to sit together on the the top of the ballot on the “county line.” Our reform even goes above and beyond the endorsement process in most counties, by allowing our committee members to endorse ALL candidates that they feel are qualified to represent the Democratic Party, not just their top choice. Since our win with the County to make this change, we have advised many Democratic municipal committees throughout the state about our work. One Democratic municipal committee in South Jersey even copied the endorsement section of our bylaws for their own.
When we took on our ballot reform work, although it was only a few years ago, it was in a much less politically hospitable landscape than we have now with regard to “the line,” and we did this knowing that we faced considerable risk in terms of our standing and relationship within the Essex County Democratic Organization. We collaborated with Rutgers professor Julia Sass Rubin, expert witness for Kim v. Hanlon (the "line lawsuit"), and the author of many articles about the county line, including "The Impact of New Jersey's County Line Primary Ballots On Election Outcomes, Politics, and Policy" who gave so much of her time and dedication to educate us about this issue--and whose research was indispensable in ridding our state of the county line. As she notes, "I worked closely with members of the Maplewood Democratic Municipal Committee to successfully abolish the county line for local races on the Maplewood primary ballot. This happened a few years ago, before this issue had gained prominence.They were real leaders and what they were able to achieve was incredible, especially in Essex County, where machine politics dominate and making even the smallest change is met with great resistance."
To this extent, while we we know that candidates have the option to run on any slate that they want using the slogan of their choice, it is worth pointing out that any of the challengers for district leader could have come to the Maplewood Dems seeking our endorsement, and likely received it, even in districts with no vacancies.
For all offices higher than the Township Committee, the MDC does not endorse, preferring to use our platform and resources to provide information about all candidates who approach us, to help Democratic voters make an independent and informed choice on their primary ballots. For instance, we recently hosted Senate candidate Dr. Patricia Campos-Medina for an informational meeting that was open to all.
Our ballot reform work a few years ago is not the only time that we challenged the larger Democratic party. Just last year, we voted unanimously to pass a resolution condemning the shameful Elections Transparency Act. We are part of the Democratic Party, and not an activist organization, yet we felt that this was important enough for us to take a public position about which was at odds with party leadership. And just a few months ago, we passed two resolutions calling for office block ballots on all races on the Maplewood ballot, as well as a closed-vote Democratic convention in Essex County, a move which prompted our colleagues on the Montclair Democratic Committee to pass two such resolutions of their own.
Our work to bring democratic reform to Essex County and to the state continues. As mentioned in our joint statement with the South Orange Dems, we are partnering with other district leaders in South Orange, Montclair, West Orange and other towns to work toward getting a closed-vote convention in Essex County. This is no small task, and we are happy to tell you more about what our process is in greater detail, for anyone who would like to reach out. The district leaders working on this include, but certainly are not limited to, those who are being challenged: Richard Greenberg and Dean Dafis in District 7, and Gail Safian and Fred Profeta in District 8. When considering which candidates to select to vote for, we urge you to select the ones who are currently doing the work toward a more democratic and accountable Democratic Committee in Essex County, AND who have a record of accomplishing these things. The Fair Ballot Dems’ support for office block ballots and a county convention with a closed vote process is exactly what the MDC has been pushing for for years, whether publicly or in our discussions with County leadership. We urge voters to look toward the slate that has truly been “well ahead of the curve” on the line, and has a demonstrated record of wins, along with tangible and dedicated plans for a more accountable and transparent state and county party.
Additional information about the Maplewood Democratic Committee’s work can be found at their website.
Statement from the Fair Ballot Democrats:
Applies to all candidates with the slogan “Fair Ballot Democrats.”
As Fair Ballot Democrats running for District Leader positions in Maplewood, we recognize the important work the Maplewood Democratic Committee (MDC) has done to engage voters and promote democratic values in our community. We believe that by working together and bringing fresh perspectives to the table, we can further strengthen our local Democratic Party and accelerate the pace of change towards a more transparent and inclusive political process.
Maplewood Fair Ballot Democrats bring a wealth of experience and dedication to the cause of reforming our political system:
Far from being political novices, Maplewood FBD District Leader candidates collectively have decades of experience organizing and advocating for transparency and democracy in Essex County and around the state.
While Maplewood Democratic Committee District Leader seats have been largely occupied, vacancies persist. We believe that every district in the Township should have two active District Leaders who are eager to serve and engage their communities.
FBDs elected as District Leaders in Maplewood will bring fresh perspectives and greater people power to the fight for more transparency in our elections and among our party's leadership. Reforming established political structures can be frustratingly slow in New Jersey, but FBDs will bring new voices to the table and can accelerate the pace of change.
As Fair Ballot Democrats, we strongly support fair ballots (including a permanent "office block" ballot for all races) and insist that the county party hold a convention and use a secret ballot to endorse candidates.
By running for District Leader positions, we aim to work alongside the MDC to bring more transparency, inclusivity, and fairness to the party and ensure that it truly represents the diverse interests of our community.
On Election Day, vote for Fair Ballot Democrats to bring new ideas, fresh energy, and additional leadership to the Maplewood Democratic Committee. Together, we can build a stronger, more vibrant local Democratic Party that effectively serves the needs of all Maplewood residents and continues to champion democratic values.
Additional information about the Fair Ballot Democrats can be found on Facebook.
Candidates
Candidate information is listed in ballot order. You can find your district here.
District 1
Mark Lougheny — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
Shannon Cuttle — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
District 2
Nancy E. Schwartz — Fair Ballot Democrat
Sean M. Bailey — Fair Ballot Democrat
More information is available about both candidates here.
District 3
India Larrier — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
The second seat in District 3 is vacant.
District 4
Mitchel J. Gross — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
The second seat in District 4 is vacant.
District 5
Michele Alonso — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
Beth Cooper Benjamin — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
District 6
Ian R. Grodman — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
Julian Brash — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
More information is available from: Ian Grodman
District 7
Dean Dafis — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
Richard Greenberg — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
Melissa Renny — Fair Ballot Democrats
More information is available about: Dean Dafis & Richard Greenberg, Melissa Renny.
District 8
Jessica James — Fair Ballot Democrats
Fred R. Profeta, Jr. — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
Gail Safian — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
Jessica James’s slogan was erroneously left off vote by mail ballots. She is running as a Fair Ballot Democrat.
More information is available about: Jessica James, Fred Profeta & Gail Safian.
District 9
Jane Collins Colding — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
Victor DeLuca — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
More information is available from: Vic DeLuca
District 10
Bruno Lee — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
Tammy Haynie — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
District 11
Irene Langlois — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
William J. Steinbrunn — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
District 12
Garnet Hall — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
John T. Sullivan — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
More information available from Garnet Hall
District 13
Sean P. Ruffin — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
The second seat in District 13 is vacant.
District 14
Both seats are vacant. If you are interested in running as a write in candidate and would like your name listed on this guide, contact info@somaaction.org.
District 15
Allison Posner — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
The second seat in District 15 is vacant.
District 16
Diane Simmons — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
The second seat in District 16 is vacant.
District 17
Robert Dreyfuss — Fair Ballot Democrats
Jennifer Chuang — Fair Ballot Democrats
More information is available about both candidates here.
District 19 (there is no District 18)
Rebecca Scheer — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
Stephen Sigmund — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
More information is available about: Rebecca Scheer, Stephen Sigmund.
District 20
Leonard Robbins — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
The second seat in District 20 is vacant.
District 21
Theodore N. Dorset, Jr, — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
David Huemer — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
More information is available from: David Huemer
District 22
Gerald Leventhal — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
Kathleen Leventhal — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
More information is available from: Kathy Leventhal
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Some groups of candidates are choosing to release a single statement on behalf of all candidates running on their slogan. Please see those statements below. Some candidates also chose to release additional information, which is linked under the district they are running in.
If you are a candidate who would like to submit links to additional information (statements, bios, websites, etc). Please email the link to info@somaaction.org.
Statement from the South Orange Democratic Committee:
Applies to all South Orange candidates with the slogan “Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc.”
The South Orange Democratic Committee endorses the office block ballot design and a secret ballot convention to decide the endorsements of the Essex County Democratic Committee. We are further committed to promoting democracy by ensuring all eligible voters are registered and are fully informed about candidates running for office.
The South Orange Democratic Committee believes in unity and creating a diverse environment of thought, beliefs, culture, race, religion, and age to represent the community it serves.
"As an elected district leader of the Democratic County Committee, this role is crucial in supporting and representing Democrats in your district. Responsibilities include but are limited to supporting all nominated and elected Democratic candidates, registering new Democratic voters, participating in Party work at the municipal and county levels, building a larger Democratic vote, advocating for residents' concerns, and actively participating in the formulation of Party rules and policies. Your commitment and engagement contribute to the Party's success and growth, strengthening its influence and effectiveness."
Right now, Maplewood and South Orange committees are partnering with other district leaders in Montclair, West Orange, and other towns to work toward getting a convention in Essex County. This is no small task, but we are committed to collaborating more as Essex County municipalities and leveraging best practices from each municipality. We stand together to create a more unified and inclusive society.
We would like to ask you to re-elect and elect the district leader candidates on our slate. These individuals have proven their willingness and commitment to the community. We are keen to ensure a solid victory for the Democrats in November 2024. Let's not lose sight of the real goal.
Additional information about the South Orange Democrats can be found on Facebook.
Statement from the Fair Ballot Democrats:
Applies to all candidates with the slogan “Fair Ballot Democrats.”
As Fair Ballot Democrats running for District Leader (DL) positions in South Orange, we are committed to revitalizing our local Democratic Party to ensure that it truly represents the diverse interests of our community at both the neighborhood and county levels.
We believe that now is the time to build a local Democratic Party that is transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of all South Orange residents. As the only directly-elected members of Essex County Democratic Committee (ECDC), DLs represent the true grassroots base of the party. Instead of a top-down party that expects expects committee members and voters alike to fall in line behind party leaders' preferred candidates, we envision a South Orange Democratic Committee (SODC) that treats voters as constituents, represents their values to the rest of the County Democratic Party, advocates for competitive primary elections, and boosts turnout by creating a Democratic Party that promotes trust and enthusiasm within the electorate.
In order to revitalize the local party, we will:
Create a website (which SODC does not currently have) so that voters can identify who their DLs are, contact them, and learn more about the SODC.
Conduct outreach with constituents both during and outside of election season to better represent their interests to Democratic candidates and other members of the party.
Collaborate with other local groups to build community, get more people interested in participating in local politics, and recruit new DL candidates. Currently, one-third of SODC’s 24 seats are vacant, and only 7 incumbents are running for reelection. Even after the June 4th primary, at least three voting districts in South Orange will still not have any DLs representing them on the county level. We must do better.
In order to build a County Democratic party that is representative of and trusted by voters, we will collaborate with DLs across Essex County to:
Advocate for the ECDC to decide endorsements using a convention where all DLs vote via a binding, secret ballot. This means ending the current practice of the County Chair endorsing unilaterally.
Advocate for the permanent end to the county line ballot, and with it, the adoption of the “office block” ballot for all races.
Advocate for transparency and a robust conflict of interest policy for party office holders at all levels.
Fair Ballot Democrats have decades of advocacy and organizing experience and have been leaders in getting out the vote in races both locally and across the country.
On Election Day, vote for Fair Ballot Democrats to bring fresh perspectives, renewed vitality, and forward-thinking leadership to the South Orange Democratic Committee.
Together, we can build a stronger, more vibrant local Democratic Party that effectively serves the needs of all South Orange residents.
Additional information about the Fair Ballot Democrats can be found on Facebook.
Candidates
Candidate information is listed in ballot order. You can find your district here (zoom in).
District 1
Thomas Kelly — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
Rebecca Morrison — Fair Ballot Democrats
Philip Casey — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
More information is available about Rebecca Morrison.
District 2
Both seats are vacant.
Katherine Greenstone is running as a write in candidate affiliated with the Fair Ballot Democrats
Anita Gundanna is running as a write in candidate affiliated with the Fair Ballot Democrats
More information is available about: Katherine Greenstone, Anita Gundanna.
If you are interested in running as a write in candidate and would like your name listed on this guide, contact info@somaaction.org.
District 3
Both seats are vacant.
District 4
Charles Manderville — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
Genevieve Manderville — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
Kyle D. Younger — Fair Ballot Democrats
More information is available about Kyle Younger.
District 6 (there is no District 5)
Regan White — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
Lawrence Hirsch — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
Joann Gaughran — Fair Ballot Democrats
Deborah Alessandro — Fair Ballot Democrats
More information is available about: Lawrence Hirsch, Joann Gaughran, and Deborah Alessandro.
District 7
Both seats are vacant.
Ed Salomon is running as a write in candidate affiliated with the South Orange Democratic Committee.
Stephanie Lawson-Muhammad is running as a write in candidate affiliated with Fair Ballot Democrats.
District 8
Both seats are vacant.
District 9
Erika Erickson Malinoski — Fair Ballot Democrats
Allecyn Ries — Fair Ballot Democrats
More information about both candidates can be found here.
District 10
Both seats are vacant.
District 11
Brandon Eisenmann — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
Olivia Lewis-Chang — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
District 12
Sheila Oliver — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
William E. Graves — Fair Ballot Democrats
More information is available about William Graves.
District 13
Ritu Pancholy — Fair Ballot Democrats
Laura Levine — Essex County Democratic Committee, Inc
More information is available about Ritu Pancholy.