Democratic gubernatorial candidate Steve Fulop has added State Assembly contenders from Bergen, Middlesex, and Morris counties to his statewide slate, bringing the total number of legislative candidates across New Jersey to 27.
Morristown Councilman Steve Pylypchuk will seek the Democratic nomination for State Assembly in the 25th district, becoming the first challenger to enter the race against Republican incumbents Aura Dunn (R-Mendham) and Christian Barranco (R-Jefferson).
Barranco, a member of IBEW Local 102 and the lone Hispanic Republican assemblyman was re-elected by 1,568 votes in 2023; Dunn ran 729 votes in front of Barranco.
Fulop will be joined in the 17th district by Loretta Rivers, a Piscataway school board member, and Habitat for Humanity executive. She is challenging two white incumbents, Joseph Danielsen (D-Franklin) and Kevin Egan (D-New Brunswick), in a district that is just 26% white. Danielsen has a target on his back as the sponsor of the OPRA reform bill; while that’s important to some insiders, there’s no evidence that rank-and-file voters care at this point.
In the Bergen-based 38th district, attorney Donald Bonamo, a South Hackensack zoning board member, will challenge incumbents Lisa Swain (D-Fair Lawn) and Christopher Tully (D-Bergenfield) in the Democratic primary.
“These candidates are perfect examples of the kinds of community advocates and leaders we want to support, as we help candidates across New Jersey who share our values of breaking away from party boss politics and delivering the kind of progress that our state needs,” stated Fulop. “Competitive primaries are not only healthy for our Democratic Party, but it gives voters a real choice and encourages them to get more engaged in the process. We will continue to support candidates across New Jersey who share our values to bring real change to this state.”
Pylypchuk was elected to a 3rd Ward council seat in 2023 after chairing the Morristown Zoning Board and Environmental Commission.
“When I ran for Council, I highlighted the need for a transparent and accessible government that puts citizens first,” Pylypchuk said. “The people know their own needs better than anyone else, and accountable government is what we need to create the strong and inclusive community that our residents deserve.”
Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty has endorsed Fulop.
Fulop is playing heavily in Bergen County, where Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly) is the favorite son candidate.
In the Bergen-based 37th district, Tamar Warburg, a Teaneck Democratic leader and general counsel of the Jewish Community Foundation of MetroWest NJ, and Tenafly Councilman Dan Park will take on Assemblywomen Shama Haider (D-Tenafly) and Ellen Park (D-Englewood Cliffs). He also supports former Woodland Park Councilman Ron Arnau in the 40th district, which includes part of Bergen County.
Last week, Fulop announced that former Palisades Park Mayor Chris Chung, former Closter Councilwoman Dolores Witko, and John Vitale, a restaurant owner from Park Ridge who ran for State Assembly in 2023, will run for county commissioner on Fulop’s down-ballot slate. They could face three incumbents who have not yet announced if they will seek re-election: Mary Amoroso (D-Mahwah), Germaine Ortiz (D-Emerson), and Thomas Sullivan (D-Montville).