Two-term Atlantic County Commissioner Caren Fitzpatrick announced her run for State Senate in the 2nd Legislative District. She will take on incumbent Sen. Vince Polistina (R-2) in the November election.

On Sunday, Victor Carmona announced he was withdrawing from the race to focus on his duties as Pleasantville Councilman, police department chaplain, and running his small business.

“After much thought and consideration, I have decided to end my run for State Senate in the 2nd District. My work in the community of Pleasantville as councilman and police department chaplain is where my heart is and must remain my top priority,” Carmona said. “I extend my deepest gratitude to Atlantic County Democrats for nominating and supporting me. We must continue to build momentum, show up with all the strength, and with as many people behind us as possible to support Caren Fitzpatrick and the Democratic slate to take back the 2nd District. The best thing we can do for Atlantic County—is to beat Vince Polistina, Don Guardian, and Claire Swift, and that must start now.”

Lisa Bender, a marine scientist and small-business owner from Somers Point, will join the slate running for State Assembly alongside Alphonso Harrell, a former US Marine and Kindergarten teacher from Egg Harbor Township.

On her decision to run for Senate, Fitzpatrick said, “Polistina had his shot representing the 2nd District. He’s proven himself incapable of anything but pandering to extremists, and he has the record to prove it. I ask the people of Atlantic County- Are you better off? Do you think Atlantic County has gotten its fair share? Instead of representing our interests, we have a Senator who voted against bringing new industries and good-paying union jobs to South Jersey, voted against women’s rights, shuttered healthcare clinics, joined in a disinformation campaign with extremist politicians and dark-money groups to sabotage our offshore wind industry, and in two years already voted to increase spending by nearly eight billion dollars and Atlantic County is still not getting its fair share. The people deserve better, and I’ll put my record representing the people of Atlantic County against Polistina’s any day.”

A former assemblyman, Polistina of Egg Harbor Township lost his 2011 bid for a senate seat against the late state Senator Jim Whelan (D-2), and came back for a second act in 2021, succeeding state Senator Chris Brown (R-2), who served one term in office. Polistina defeated Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo (D-2) to secure the senate seat to which the GOP initially appointed him.