Atlantic County Democratic Chairman Michael Sulieman today became the first county party chairman in the state to endorse Steve Sweeney for governor in 2025.
“Steve has been a friend and mentor of mine for years, always willing to lend a helping hand and guide me through the wild and wacky world of New Jersey politics,” Suleiman said. His steadfast support of Atlantic County over the years includes creating the Atlantic City Tourism District, ending costly casino tax appeals, and increasing funding for underfunded school districts like Galloway and Egg Harbor Towns.
Sweeney, a former Senate President, entered the race today.
“As the longest-serving Senate President in New Jersey history, Steve was at the forefront of truly consequential legislation, like paid family and sick leave, a $15/hour minimum wage, fully funding the pension system, and banning smoking on New Jersey’s beaches,” stated Suleiman. “His success in stopping Governor Christie from packing the New Jersey Supreme Court is a stark contrast to MAGA Republicans who worked with Trump to confirm an alarming number of far-right judges to the federal bench.”
Suleiman stressed that his endorsement is a personal one, and the Atlantic County organization line will be awarded to the winner of the county Democratic convention in the spring of 2025. Atlantic has had conventions since the 1970s and is one of the oldest in the state.
But Suleiman said he will cast his vote for Sweeney at that convention.
Atlantic City Mayor Martin Small, Sr. endorsed Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop for governor earlier this year.
Small could play an outsized role in the process since preferential ballot placement in New Jersey primaries is done around county commissioner candidates.
The only Democratic incumbent up in 2025 in Atlantic County is longtime District 1 County Commissioner Ernest Coursey, Sr., also Small’s chief of staff. Small is also up for re-election in two years.
If Coursey and Small opt to run with Fulop, it reduces the advantage of the current line.
“The line will be where Marty is,” a Democratic leader told the New Jersey Globe.
Any gubernatorial candidate will be able to recruit candidates for State Assembly in the 2nd district, one at-large commissioner seat, and a candidate for Surrogate since none of the incumbents are Democrats.
Assemblyman-elect Cody Miller (D-Monroe), who won an open 4th district seat last month, also endorsed Sweeney today.
“Steve Sweeney is a friend and someone who is a true public servant,” Miller said in a statement posted on social media. “New Jersey needs experienced leadership and someone who will be able to tackle our most challenging issues. Steve has a history of doing that, which is why I support his run for governor.”
Miller becomes the first member of next year’s legislature to take sides in the gubernatorial primary.
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