GOP finds candidates against Pascrell, Sires

Republicans are expected to run former Kearny Board of Education member Paul Castelli for Congress in the 9th district against Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson), and Rev. John Muniz of Jersey City against Rep. Albio Sires (D-West New York) in the 8th.

Castelli has run for office several times without success.  He lost a 1995 Assembly race to Anthony Impreveduto and Joan Quigley, and received 28% against Hudson County Freeholder Albert Cifelli in 2011.  He ran against State Sen. Nicholas Sacco in 2013 and 2017, receiving 30% and then 20%.

Both districts are safe for Democrats in the general election.  Pascrell won 79% in 2016 in a district Hillary Clinton carried by 31 points; Sires won 77% and Clinton won his district by 56 points.

The filing deadline is April 2.