Governor Murphy, Chairman Jones Congratulate Somerset County Commissioners Robinson and Sooy on Winning Landmark Re-Election Campaign

NJDSC Chair Cites Schaffer’s Steady Leadership, Gov. Murphy’s Campaign in Helping Deliver Victories

TRENTON, NJ — With Somerset County Commissioners Shanel Robinson and Sarah Sooy now in the lead with nearly all votes counted, Governor Phil Murphy and New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chairman LeRoy J. Jones, Jr. are congratulating the Democrats for prevailing in one of the state’s most watched down ballot races.

“Since the day they took office as the first Democrats to be elected on the county level in Somerset County in a generation, Shanel Robinson and Sarah Sooy have worked tirelessly to deliver for their constituents and their victory is a tribute to that hard work,” said Governor Murphy. “Whether it was making county government more efficient, helping keep residents safe during the pandemic or bringing new economic development initiatives to Somerset County, Commissioners Robinson and Sooy have distinguished themselves as two of the most effective county elected officials in the state and I commend them on their victory.”

Chairman Jones credits NJDSC Vice Chair and Somerset County Democratic Chair Peg Schaffer’s steady leadership over the years to flip Somerset County blue, as well as the hard work and excellent records of Commissioners Robinson and Sooy and the strength of Governor Phil Murphy’s re-election campaign for the Democratic victory.

“Three years ago Shanel Robinson and Sarah Sooy’s triumph was a breakthrough for the Somerset County Democrats under the leadership of our Vice Chair and good friend Peg Schaffer, and the fact that they have now won re-election shows the durability of the county’s transition to blue,” said Chairman Jones. “I would like to congratulate Shanel and Sarah for this momentous victory, which comes with Governor Murphy winning Somerset County, increasing his margin from 2017 and the county helping deliver a historic Democratic sweep in the 16th Legislative District.”

Governor Murphy has thus far received 58,041 votes in Somerset County and took 51.4% of the vote in his opponent Republican Jack Ciattarelli’s home base. This is an increase from his 2017 total of 45,645 votes, which was 49.1% of the total. Since then, Somerset County Democrats have swept all county offices and the county also delivered a sufficient number of votes in 2021 to help elect Andrew Zwicker, Roy Freiman and Sadaf Jaffer in the 16th Legislative District.