Auth Locks Up Mahwah

Mahwah Republicans moved solidly to back Assemblyman Bob Auth (R-Old Tappan) for a seventh term in the New Jersey Legislature. Topping the list is Municipal Chairman Phil Ross, Vice Chairman Michael Schnoll, Secretary Tom Kearney, Mayor Jim Wysocki, Councilwoman Janet Ariemma (who just faced Wysocki in the Mayor’s race), Councilman Ward Donigian (who is also running for the Assembly), and former Bergen County Freeholder and former Councilman Rob Hermansen. 

In a joint statement, Ross and Schnoll said, “Coming off of a landslide victory for President Trump, and a decisive win for our Republican entire ticket here in Mahwah, we are pleased to endorse Assemblyman Bob Auth for re-election in 2025. Bob has always been there for Mahwah, and has a keen understanding of the needs of District 39. The first New Jersey state legislator to endorse President Trump in 2016 and 2024, he is the conservative champion that Mahwah deserves down in Trenton.” Vice Chairman Schnoll added, “The fact that both Mayor Jim Wysocki AND Councilwoman Janet Ariemma endorse Bob says something in itself.” 

In addition to Ross, Schnoll, Kearney, Donigian, and Hermansen, Auth has earned the endorsement of the following Republican County Committee members: Ken Schnoll, Stacey Merryman, Christine Accetta, Mike Baldomir, Duke Golz, Michele Dimino, Amy Ross, John Kiel, Matthew Lauerwald, Steve Schnoll, Axxiom Ezra, Nick Cowan, and Pat Cowan; which brings his total to 18 out of 27, a greater than two thirds majority— there is one vacancy. 

In response, Auth said, “I would like to thank Mayor Jim Wysocki, along with Chairman Phil Ross and many members of the Mahwah GOP County Committee for their support of my candidacy. My continued resolve to control excessive taxes, over development, and to preserve the beautiful communities of our district has and continues to remain paramount to me as your Assemblyman.”

Auth is currently in a five way race in the GOP field for two seats, with a plethora of additional candidates also expected to enter the race in the coming weeks. This GOP primary will likely be New Jersey’s first with office block ballots.

Mahwah is the largest municipality in District 39, and home to the most amount of registered Republicans; making this endorsement critical. Last week, President-elect Trump carried the township by approximately 6.6% (not including provisional ballots), following President Biden’s 0.4% and 53 vote win in 2020. Trump carried Mahwah by 9.1% over Hillary Clinton in 2016, and Jack Ciattarelli won it by 9.4% over Governor Phil Murphy in the 2021 gubernatorial race.