Ocean County Democrats Announce Candidates for State Legislature

For Immediate Release

On Sunday, March 19th, the Ocean County Democrats held their mini-convention to nominate candidates for the 2023 election cycle.  Candidates for Assembly and Senate were endorsed in four legislative districts with towns in Ocean County.

In Legislative District 9, the Democrats endorsed Gabriel Franco for Senate. Mr. Franco is an attorney and Democratic Municipal Chairman of Little Egg Harbor where he resides and serves on the Township’s Environmental Commission. He is also Chief Legal Officer of LatinoXRadio, a not-for-profit technology startup, and Jeff’s Camp | A Home for Heroes, a registered 501(c)3 dedicated to serving homeless and at-risk veterans.  The endorsed Assembly Candidates in Legislative District 9 are Joseph Atura of Stafford and Sarah Collins of Eagleswood.  Mr. Atura is a retired IT specialist and a public school teacher. Ms. Collins is a high school science teacher, as well as a Democratic State Committeewoman.

In Legislative District 10, Jeff Horn was endorsed to run for State Senate.  His Assembly running mates will be John LaMacchia of Manasquan, and Emma Mammano of Brick.  Mr. Horn is an attorney who operates the Horn Law Group and is the Democratic Municipal Chairman of Toms River.  Emma Mammano is a mental health counselor and Vice Chairwoman of the Ocean County Democratic Committee.  John LaMacchia retired from working in Information Systems Management for the State of NJ after 29 years.  He currently works in systems integration and administration for Global Safety First, a locally-owned company that makes strapless N-95 respirators.

Stephen Dobbins of Howell was endorsed as the Senate candidate in Legislative District 30.  Mr. Dobbins is a small business owner who has also served on Howell’s environmental commission. Mr. Dobbins’ running mates for State Assembly are Marta Harrison and Salvatore Frascino, both of Lakewood. Marta Harrison is a retired information technology specialist who served two terms as the first and only woman to be elected Mayor of Lakewood. Sal Frascino is a retired law enforcement officer, who worked as a Jersey City detective and later as a special task force officer in the DEA.  He continues to serve the community as a school resource officer.

In District 12, the Ocean County Democrats have endorsed Brandon Rose for Senate.  Mr. Rose is a resident of Jackson who spent 26 years in law enforcement with the New Jersey State Parole Board.  Mr. Rose is joined by Raya Arbiol and Paul Sarti as candidates for the Assembly.  Ms. Arbiol served in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman and has worked in operations management for global supply chain companies. She is currently finishing her Ph.D. in Management at Walden University and is the principal consultant at Raya Enterprises, LLC.   Mr. Sarti holds a degree in social work and is a supervisor of health benefits operations in the New Jersey division of pensions.