Mahwah Councilman Ward Donigian has dropped his bid for State Assembly in District 39; endorsing the pair of incumbents, Bob Auth (R-Old Tappan) and John Azzariti (R-Saddle River), just days after Saddle River Councilman Jon Kurpis did the same.

“After deep consideration, I have chosen to withdraw my candidacy for State Assembly. I am endorsing Assemblymen Bob Auth and John Azzariti for re-election, but most importantly, I’m asking for every Republican in District 39 to do the same. Party unity trumps everything. There is so much at stake this November for our state. Republicans need to back Republicans. President Trump carried the 39th District by just two points. It is critical we defend these two seats in an off-year cycle when they are most vulnerable. The best way for Mahwah and all of District 39 to move forward is by unifying behind Auth and Azzariti.”

The Auth-Azzariti ticket has the backing of State Senator Holly Schepisi (R-River Vale), Bergen County GOP Chairman Jack DeLorenzo, and Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio (R-Hackettstown).

Today, Mahwah GOP Municipal Chairman Phil Ross, Vice Chairman Michael Schnoll, and Councilwoman Janet Ariemma have also endorsed Azzariti in what is expected to be a divisive primary. They, along with Donigian as an Assembly candidate, solely endorsed Auth last November. Mahwah is the largest municipality in District 39, and is home to the district’s largest plurality of registered Republicans.