Norcross GOP challenger will remain on the ballot

Damon Galdo remains on the general ballot as the Republican candidate for Congress in New Jersey’s 1st district after just narrowly surviving a challenge to his nominating petitions.

Democrats were able to strike roughly 70 of Galdo’s 576 petition signatures, but an administrative law judge today found that he satisfied the 500 signature minimum requirement to run in the June 2 GOP primary.

Galdo, a conservative podcaster who works in construction, wants to take on Rep. Donald Norcross (D-Camden) in the general election.

This is his third bid to run against Norcross.  He has secured organizational backing after failing to do so in 2022 and 2024.

A West Deptford resident, Galdo was a political newcomer when he first ran for Congress in 2022, filing at the last minute and failing to make much headway against the GOP organization’s choice for the seat, Claire Gustafson. Galdo and Gustafson both ran again in 2024, but both were defeated by Teddy Liddell, who had the support of the Camden County GOP.  Galdo finished third in that contest with 15% of the vote.

Norcross, a congressman since 2014, is unopposed in the Democratic primary.  Lonnie Affrime, who had entered the Democratic contest, did not file his petitions in advance of last week’s deadline.