Democrats re-elect LeRoy Jones as state chairman

With the support of his party’s gubernatorial nominee, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair), and of Gov. Phil Murphy. New Jersey Democratic State Chairman LeRoy Jones was re-elected on Monday night without opposition as he prepares to keep the governorship and control of the State Assembly in Democratic hands.

Jones, the Essex County Democratic chairman, backed Sherrill in the Democratic primary earlier this month.

“A united Democratic Party will be crucial during this pivotal election year. As we look ahead, our mission is clear — we must work tirelessly, organize everywhere, and build a broad, unified coalition to elect Mikie Sherrill as New Jersey’s next governor,” said Jones.  “We also stand firm with our down-ballot candidates to ensure our state house remains blue. Jack Ciattarelli wants to enact the Trump playbook of overreach and chaos in our state, but we’re ready to send him packing for the third election in a row.”

Ciattarelli has tapped former Burlington County GOP Chairman Glenn Paulsen to lead the Republican State Committee.  He’s expected to replace Bob Hugin this month.

A former assemblyman, Jones was elected state chairman in 2021, succeeding John Currie.  Jones had spent a year preparing to challenge Currie before Democrats reached a deal in December 2019.

That agreement gave Currie eighteen more months as the state chairman and divided appointments to the Legislative Redistricting Commission, which are made by the state chair, between Democratic factions in Essex, Middlesex, and Camden Counties, which backed Jones’ bid for the chairmanship.

Murphy praised Jones for expanding the Democratic Party, mobilizing and persuading voters, and winning elections.

Peg Schaffer, the Somerset County Democratic chair, was re-elected state party vice chair, along with Middlesex County Commissioner Clary Azcona-Barber as secretary and Shantè Palmer as treasurer.