New Jersey Young Democrats Announces Endorsement and Support Lists for 2023 Election

Trenton, NJ – This 2023 election season, the New Jersey Young Democrats (NJYD) is proud to endorse 40 young Democratic candidates through the age of 40 and support 67 candidates ages 41 and over.

“This year, we received the most applications to date. I could not be more proud of the amount of young Democrats running for office and those who prioritize the issues that matter most to us. Every election and every seat matters, which is why we support up and down the ballot,” said NJYD President Fatima Heyward. “My ask to everyone is to ensure you’re registered to vote and support these candidates by voting this election cycle. We need the right representation advocating for us all now more than ever.”

NJYD endorsements were open to all Democratic candidates in good standing through the age of 40. In order to qualify, all candidates were required to complete the endorsement application and submit it by September 1st, after which the candidates were closely vetted.

Support from NJYD is given to any Democratic candidate over 41 who is in good standing and who completes NJYD’s support application by September 1st and is preceded by a similar review process.

“Endorsing and supporting these remarkable individuals isn’t just about backing candidates; it’s a reflection of our steadfast belief in a New Jersey that listens to its young voices, values diversity, and is unafraid to move boldly into the future. Don’t forget to do your part by voting for them in the upcoming general election,” said NJYD Executive Vice President Eashwayne Haughton.

New Jersey Young Democrats is proud to endorse the following candidates:

• Jennifer Ehrentraut for State Senate (LD-40)
• Vin Gopal for State Senate (LD-11)
• Britnee Timberlake for State Senate (LD-34)
• Anthony Angelozzi for State Assembly (LD-8)
• Guy Citron for State Assembly (LD-23)
• Cody D. Miller for State Assembly (LD-4)
• Tyler Powell for State Assembly (LD-23)
• Damita White-Morris for State Assembly (LD-1)
• Orlando Cruz for Passaic County Commissioner
• A’Dorian Murray-Thomas for Essex County Commissioner
• Joeigh Perella for Cumberland County Commissioner
• John J. Mulholland, Jr. for Cherry Hill Board of Fire Commissioners
• Danielle Ireland-Imhof for Passaic County Clerk
• Caroline O’Brien for Morris County Clerk
• Ben Giovine for Toms River Mayor
• Jeff Martin for Hamilton Mayor
• Mercedes Aguirre Valenzuela for Wayne Town Council
• Patrick Bieger for Denville Town Council At Large
• Thomas Joseph Bushnaukas for Hawthorne Town Council
• Frank D. DeMaio IV for Berkeley Town Council At Large
• Candace Faust for Eatontown Town Council
• Krista Marie Fischer for Old Bridge Town Council At Large
• Erik Heyman-Meltzer for Cinnaminson Township Committee
• Harris Laufer for Springfield Township Committee
• Trent Levitt for Flemington Borough Council
• Derick Lewis for Phillipsburg Town Council
• Alexander Maceira for Denville Town Council At Large
• Jorge Martinez, Jr. for Rochelle Park Township Committee
• Julie R. Meira for South River Borough Council
• Thomas A. Miller for Rochelle Park Township Committee
• Ashley Neuman for Manville Borough Council
• Steven Pylypchuk for Morristown Council
• Anthony J. Riccardi for Stanhope Town Council
• Saad A. Toor for Bridgewater Township Council
• Andrew Warta for Dumont Borough Council
• Josely Castro for Plainfield Board of Education
• Evan J. Collier for Roselle Park Board of Education
• Dhruv Kapadia for Hopewell Township Board of Education
• Angelita Martinez for Willingboro Board of Education
• Larry Traylor for Trenton Board of Education

New Jersey Young Democrats is proud to support the following candidates:

• Christine Clarke for State Senate (LD-25)
• Gaye Burton for State Senate (LD-8)
• Gordon M. Johnson for State Senate (LD-37)
• Denise King for State Senate (LD-23)
• Joe Lagana for State Senate (LD-38)
• Matt Marino for State Senate (LD-21)
• Angela V. McKnight for State Senate (LD-31)
• Troy Singleton for State Senate (LD-7)
• Andrew Zwicker for State Senate (LD-16)
• Herb Conaway, Jr. for State Assembly (LD-7)
• Margie Donlon for State Assembly (LD-11)
• Mitchelle Drulis for State Assembly (LD-16)
• Roy Freiman for State Assembly (LD-16)
• Elizabeth Graner for State Assembly (LD-21)
• Shama A. Haider for State Assembly (LD-37)
• Garnet R. Hall for State Assembly (LD-28)
• Giovanna Irizarry for State Assembly (LD-40)
• Andrea Katz for State Assembly (LD-8)
• Jennifer Marrinan for State Assembly (LD-40)
• Tennille R. McCoy for State Assembly (LD-14)
• Carol Murphy for State Assembly (LD-7)
• Ellen J. Park for State Assembly (LD-37)
• Luanne Peterpaul for State Assembly (LD-11)
• Verlina Reynolds-Jackson for State Assembly (LD-15)
• Shavonda E. Sumter for State Assembly (LD-35)
• Lisa Swain for State Assembly (LD-38)
• Dr. Jonathan Torres for State Assembly (LD-25)
• Chris Tully for State Assembly (LD-38)
• Chris Weber for State Assembly (LD-21)
• Dan Benson for Mercer County Executive
• Roxanne Barnes for Ocean County Commissioner
• Alison De Noia for Monmouth County Commissioner
• Bruce James for Passaic County Commissioner
• Leslie Koppel for Middlesex County Commissioner
• Damaris Lira for Sussex County Commissioner
• Jonathan Sackett for Morris County Commissioner
• Charles Tomaro for Middlesex County Commissioner
• Nicola “Nico” Attanasio for Dumont Mayor
• Jill DeCaro for Old Bridge Mayor
• Nancy T. Gross for Woodcliff Lake Mayor
• Chris Hillmann for Mayor of Hasbrouck Heights
• Rachel McGreevy for Neptune City Mayor
• Kia C. Phua for Berkeley Township Mayor
• Roberta G. Walters for Manville Mayor
• Gina M. LaPlaca for Lumberton Township Committee/Deputy Mayor
• Kevin J. Ahearn for Old Bridge Town Council
• Terrance P. Benson, Sr. for Lumberton Township Committee
• Amalia Duarte for Mendham Township Committee
• Ana Duarte McCarthy for Bernards Township Committee
• Jessica Dunne for Dunellen Borough Council
• Robert Michael Gancitano for Galloway Town Council At Large
• Debra Harris for Hainesport Township Committee
• Victor Jacksier for Mount Olive Town Council
• Danielle M. Jones for Eatontown Borough Council
• Siva Jonnada for Morris Township Council
• Cindy S. McCoy for Hi-Nella Borough Council
• Dave Merwin for Old Bridge Town Council
• Robert Mode for Hainesport Township Committee
• Jennifer Rowland for Chatham Township Committee
• Christine Sokoloski for Manville Borough Council
• Patricia Taylor Todd for Montgomery Township Committee
• Claire Toth for Summit Common Council
• Thomas White for Berkeley Town Council At Large
• Michele Williams for Toms River Town Council At Large
• Addie Daniels-Lane for Trenton Board of Education
• Denise King for Willingboro Board of Education
• Marcus W. King for Willingboro Board of Education

“We’re so proud to endorse and support such a robust list of qualified and capable candidates. So many candidates applied for NJYD’s endorsement and support this year, which shows the impact of young people in the political process,” said NJYD Political Director Stephanie Casella. She added, “If you aren’t already registered to vote, please make sure to register by October 17th, and please be sure to vote in the General Election on or by November 7th.”

NJYD’s endorsements and support do not denote and are not an exhaustive list of all campaigns NJYD supports in New Jersey; these lists comprise those exclusively who applied for NJYD’s endorsement or support by the September 1, 2023 deadline.

The New Jersey Young Democrats will hold an endorsement party in Trenton on Tuesday, October 10th at 5:30pm. Those who would like to attend can register here. To stay up-to-date on event details and future opportunities, be sure to follow NJYD on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, and Twitter at @njyoungdems.

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Our Mission: Organize. Engage. Advocate. Elect.

NJYD members are making a difference at all levels of government. From grassroots activists to governmental staffers to elected officials, New Jersey Young Democrats is working to effect progressive change in the Garden State.

For more information, visit our website at http://www.njyoungdems.com.