Fulop gains more local endorsements, including three mayors

A dozen more current and former local elected officials, including three mayors, have endorsed Jersey City Steve Fulop for the Democratic nomination for governor, giving him some establishment support in places where party leaders are backing other candidates.

Fulop won the backing of  Mayors Eric Holliday of Bordentown Township and Gina LaPlaca of Lumberton – both in Burlington County – and Kevn Kane of Freehold Borough in Monmouth – places that haven’t previously weighed in on the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy.

“From the very beginning of this campaign, we’ve made it a priority to build strong support among mayors because they are the leaders who truly understand the needs and concerns of their communities,” Fulop stated. “The support of these mayors continues to show that the voters need change across New Jersey, and this campaign is crossing new horizons to do just that. Together, we are continuing to grow this movement, one step at a time, and we’re ready to usher in a new era of responsiveness and progress for New Jersey.”

Also signing on as Fulop supporters: Edison Councilman Ajay Patil; Westfield Councilwoman Linda Habgood; Neptune Councilman Kevin McMillan; Orange Councilwoman Quantavia Hilbert; Asbury Park school board member Stephanie Ackerman; Closter Councilwoman Alissa Latner; former West Orange Council President Bill Rutherford; former Cranford Mayor Dan Aschenbach; and former Highland Park Councilman Josh Fine.

The dozen endorsements come from municipalities that combined have about 116,000 registered Democrats – about 4.5% of the statewide total.  While one endorsement doesn’t necessarily translate into a local win – unless it’s Brian P. Stack – lots of smaller endorsements collectively have the ability to contribute to the total number.

For example, Hilbert lost her 2024 bid for mayor by nineteen percentage points, but her 37% gives her some local base.  The mayor, Dwayne Warren, is supporting Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, and that leaves two other gubernatorial candidates from Essex County without a publicly announced foothold in a city of more than 11,500 registered Democrats.

“Steve Fulop’s campaign is one of the first to speak directly to the needs of our residents across New Jersey,” Holliday said. “We need leaders who are focused on results and committed to making a difference in the lives of residents, not the pockets of politicians. I’m proud to stand alongside Steven Fulop for Governor of New Jersey.”