Joe Salerno, a businessman seeking the Democratic nomination for Congress in New Jersey’s 2nd district, has picked up a huge number of key personal endorsements in a four-way race to select a challenge for Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis).
Cumberland County Democratic Chairman Kevin McCann, Vice Chair Bonnie Martin, former Democratic County Chairman Steve Errickson, former Assemblyman Ed Salmon, former Bridgeton Mayor and Democratic County Chairman Donald Rainer, and former freeholders/county commissioners Joe Derella, Bruce Peterson, and Darlene Barber have endorsed Salerno.
“This is an election that impacts not only the future of our district, but our entire nation,” McCann stated. “The incumbent turned his back on the values and people who elected him. Van Drew says he’s devoted to Trump. I back Joe because he is devoted to the needs and future of South Jersey.”
Cumberland Democrats had declined to endorse a candidate before a federal judge ended organization lines in the 2024 Democratic primary and mandate the use of office block ballots.
Martin, a registered nurse, said she was “especially concerned about women’s right to choose and the affordability of healthcare.”
“Joe is the strong advocate we need to ensure these and other important issues get addressed for the people of South Jersey,” she said.
Salmon is the elder statesman of the Cumberland County Democrats; a former Millville mayor and freeholder, he served as an assemblyman and as president of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.
He said Salerno “shares the strength, values, and commitment that have been at the foundation of our lives.”
“I believe that you are shaped by your challenges by how you face them or run from them” state Salmon. “South Jersey is facing significant challenges, and Joe Salerno is uniquely qualified to take them on.”
Salerno faces Tim Alexander, a former prosecutor who lost to Van Drew in 2022, and two others in the June 4 Democratic primary.