Pallone primary challenger drops out

Zachary Roeill has dropped his challenge to Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-Long Branch) in the 6th district Democratic primary.

The 27-year-old progressive cited work and personal issues as his reason for leaving the race.

“With all of this craziness right now, I can’t focus on it,” Roeill told the New Jersey Globe.

Roeill’s exit leave another progressive, Russ Cirincione, as Pallone’s lone challenger for the Democratic nomination.

“Russ is giving it all he’s got,” said Roeill, who stopped short of endorsing Cirincione, but said that could change before the June 5 Democratic primary.

A third progressive, John Hsu, withdrew last October to focus his energies on Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign.

Pallone, the chairman of the powerful House Energy & Commerce Committee, won 86% of the vote against Javahn Walker in the 2018 Democratic primary.

Roeill reported raising $3,470 in 2019.