Sadaf Jaffer endorses Fulop for governor

A Democratic assemblywoman with a following among progressive activists has endorsed Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 2025.

Sadaf Jaffer, who represents parts of Somerset, Hunterdon, Mercer, and Middlesex counties in the legislature, will also join the Fulop campaign as a key member of his campaign policy team.

“As someone who believes that our state needs bold, systemic change in order to deliver the kind of progress that working families deserve, I’m proud not only to announce my support for Mayor Fulop but also to join the exceptional members of his policy team and help shape his agenda,” Jaffer said.  “I served as a Mayor, and that experience gives me immense respect for the positive change that Mayor Fulop has brought to Jersey City.   I know that he has the experience and the progressive values we need in our next Governor.”

Jaffer becomes the first sitting legislator to publicly endorse Fulop, at least for now; she is not seeking re-election this year and will leave office in January.   A former mayor of Montgomery and a researcher and lecturer at Princeton University, Jaffer was the first Muslim woman mayor in the nation and became one of New Jersey’s first two Muslim lawmakers when she won a competitive Assembly race in the 16th district in 2021.

Her early endorsement in the governor’s race precedes Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin’s decision whether to run in 2025.  If he runs, Coughlin would be the candidate of the powerful Middlesex County Democratic organization;  the same organization backed Jaffer in her Assembly bid two years ago

“It’s a true honor to have Assemblywoman Jaffer’s support in this campaign as well as the tremendous value she will bring to our team in helping shape the policy positions that we believe will one day improve the daily lives of millions of New Jersey residents,” stated Fulop.  “The Muslim community in Jersey City was one of the first local groups that rallied behind my first campaign for Mayor in 2013, and I have always valued the relationships we’ve built with leaders across the state, so having Sadaf join our campaign is a thrill.”

Fulop is the lone announced candidate to succeed the state’s term-limited governor, Phil Murphy, in two years.

He has won endorsements from Democratic mayors in Atlantic City, Burlington City, Chatham, Clinton, Garwood, High Bridge, Hillside, Lambertville, Mount Holly, Morristown, South Orange, Summit,  Trenton, and Westfield since entering the race in April.   Democratic county chairmen in Hudson and Warren, and several labor unions have also come out early in support of Fulop.

Possible Democratic gubernatorial candidates include: Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Mike Sherrill; Senate President Nicholas Scutari; Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin; Newark Mayor Ras Baraka; Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller, the president of the New Jersey Education Association; former Senate President Steve Sweeney; Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairman Paul Sarlo; and former Deputy U.S. Secretary of Transportation Jim Johnson.

New Jersey’s newly-appointed lieutenant governor, Tahesha Way, is not expected to seek a full term in 2025 when Murphy is term-limited.