New Jersey Young Democrats Announces Endorsement and Support Lists for 2024 Election

Trenton, NJ – This 2024 election season, the New Jersey Young Democrats (NJYD) is proud to endorse 42 young Democratic candidates through the age of 40 and support 51 candidates ages 41 and over. In this presidential election year, NJYD enthusiastically endorses Vice President Kamala Harris for U.S. President and Governor Tim Walz for U.S. Vice President, respectively, in addition to New Jersey candidates.

“Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to elect the right representatives at every level. This election season is vital for safeguarding our freedoms and democracy. We must prioritize electing leaders who champion human rights and the well-being of the people. Every election and every seat matters. That’s why we are dedicated to supporting candidates at all levels,” stated NJYD President Fatima Heyward. “We need young and diverse voices to create a fair and just world. The time has also come to make history by electing the first Black and South Asian woman as the president of the United States. Join us in making history and electing candidates who will advocate for issues that impact us all. Ensure that you, your family, friends, and peers are registered to vote and support these candidates by voting this election cycle.”

NJYD endorsements were open to all Democratic candidates in good standing through the age of 40. In order to qualify, candidates were required to complete an endorsement application and submit it by September 3rd, after which the candidates were closely vetted.

Each year, NJYD also supports Democratic candidates ages 41 and over who are in good standing and who complete NJYD’s support application by the deadline. All candidates then undergo a rigorous review process.

“Backing these outstanding candidates isn’t just an endorsement—it’s a commitment to the future of New Jersey and our nation. We’re standing up for a vision of progress that amplifies young voices, celebrates diversity, and protects the freedoms we hold dear. At a time when the stakes couldn’t be higher, we’re choosing leaders who will fight for the people, for our rights, and for a brighter tomorrow. Your vote this November isn’t just a duty, it’s a powerful statement for the future we want to build together,” said NJYD Executive Vice President Eashwayne Haughton.

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

• LaMonica McIver for U.S. House of Representatives (CD-10)
• Rob Menendez for U.S. House of Representatives (CD-08)
• Tyler Burrell for Burlington County Commissioner
• Amir Jones for Essex County Sheriff
• Brandon Arias for Flemington Borough Council
• John N. Balwierczak for North Arlington Town Council
• Christopher Bauknight for Washington Borough Council
• Ashlee Caldwell for Westampton Township Committee
• Silvia Catalan Culnan for Mount Laurel Town Council
• Melissa Couch for Boonton Town Council, Ward 3
• William G. DiGrande for Warren Township Committee
• Melissa DiSalvo for Boonton Town Council
• Maggie Doucette for Point Pleasant Beach Borough Council
• Zachary Dougherty for Toms River Town Council
• Paul Frissora for Fair Haven Borough Council
• Mark Gyorfy for Morris Township Committee
• Luke Hanson for Delaware Township Committee
• Katherine A. Hay for Chatham Borough Council
• Erik Heyman-Meltzer for Cinnaminson Township Committee
• Christopher John Keating for Moorestown Council
• Samantha Loveman for Hainesport Township Committee
• Michael Mancuso for Pequannock Town Council
• Hannah Mildner for Pompton Lakes Council
• Jo Miller for Woodbury City Council
• Niaz M. Nadim for Prospect Park Town Council
• Juan Carlos Nordelo for Cranford Township Committee
• Khushwant Singh Pall for Raritan Township Committee
• Tyler John Pontier for Morris Plains Borough Council
• Brendan Santangelo for Absecon City Council, Ward 1
• Evelyn Seijido Loesser for Caldwell Town Council
• Mirela Serjani for Pompton Lakes Council
• Derel M. Stroud for Neptune Township Committee
• Daniel Tashjian for Pompton Lakes Council
• Brian Varela for Washington Township Committee
• Sandra M. Wittner for Dover Town Council, Ward 1
• Brian Zlotkin for West Milford Township Council
• Isaiah Gomez for Perth Amboy Board of Education
• Dhruv Kapadia for Hopewell Township Board of Education
• T.C. McCourt for Dover Board of Education
• Michael Porch for Pennsauken School Board
• Nicholas Scotti for Nutley Board of Education
• Damita White-Morris for Bridgeton School Board

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

• Andy Kim for U.S. Senate for New Jersey
• Sue Altman for U.S. House of Representatives (CD-07)
• Herb Conaway for U.S. House of Representatives (CD-03)
• Josh Gottheimer for U.S. House of Representatives (CD-05)
• Matt Jenkins for U.S. House of Representatives (CD-04)
• Donald Norcross for U.S. House of Representatives (CD-01)
• Frank Pallone Jr. for U.S. House of Representatives (CD-06)
• Nellie Pou for U.S. House of Representatives (CD-09)
• Joseph Salerno for U.S. House of Representatives (CD-02)
• Mikie Sherrill for U.S. House of Representatives (CD-11)
• Bonnie Watson Coleman for U.S. House of Representatives (CD-12)
• John Bartlett for Passaic County Commissioner
• Samuel Frisby for Mercer County Commissioner
• Felicia Hopson for Burlington County Commissioner
• Cassandra “Sandi” Lazzara for Passaic County Commissioner
• Danielle Mastropiero for Monmouth County Commissioner
• William “Bud” Ravitz for Morris County Commissioner
• Jonathan Sackett for Morris County Commissioner
• Justin Strickland for Morris County Commissioner
• Thomas Adamo for Passaic County Sheriff
• Brad Cohen for East Brunswick Mayor
• Jenny Mundell for Bloomfield Mayor
• Craig Alperowitz for Chatham Township Committee
• Patrick Antonetti for Lincoln Park Borough Council
• William Ball for Randolph Town Council
• James A. Barry for Moorestown Town Council
• Monica Charris Taberes for Bloomfield Town Council
• Marie DeVenezia for Boonton Council, Ward 2
• Richard Dinallo for Emerson Borough Council
• Sandra R. Fey for Randolph Township Council
• John K. Fiorilla for Cinnaminson Township Committee
• Teska Frisby for Trenton City Council, West Ward
• Elizabeth Graner for Bernards Township Committee
• Eric B. Holliday for Bordentown Township Committee
• Bill Houston for Morris Plains Council
• Susan Luciano for Mendham Township Committee
• Damian G. Malave for Trenton City Council, South Ward
• Michael Morris for Middletown Township Committee
• Francis “Frank” Mortimer Jr. for Ridgewood Village Council
• Michael Pagan for Teaneck Council
• Karen G. Phelan for West Milford Town Council
• Ashok Rakhit for Warren Township Committee
• Karol Ruiz for Dover Council, Ward 3
• Josie Scanlan for Randolph Township Council
• Kate Stutzel for Emerson Borough Council
• Jonathan Torres for Randolph Council
• Mark Trokan for Mendham Township Committee
• Mayor Paul Vagianos for Ridgewood Village Council
• Benjamin Weisman for Boonton Town Council, Ward 4
• Tammy Williams for West Orange Township Council
• Chondra Young for Teaneck Council

“We applaud our Democratic candidates running this cycle. It’s also exciting seeing involvement from young people in the political process, and there are so many qualified, young candidates in races from the municipal level up to the federal level, which is wonderful,” said NJYD Political Director Stephanie Casella. She added, “For NJ residents: if you aren’t already registered to vote, please make sure to register by October 15th, and please be sure to either vote early at your polling location from October 26th to November 3rd, or on General Election Day, which is November 5th. Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked or returned by November 5th, at 8:00 p.m.”

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 3, 2024 deadline.

The New Jersey Young Democrats will hold an endorsement party in Trenton on Thursday, October 3rd at 5:30 p.m. 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.