Everytown endorses five candidates for local office in N.J.

The national gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety issued endorsements today in five New Jersey municipal races, supporting candidates who have previously served as volunteers for the group. The endorsements span one nonpartisan May race, three June Democratic primaries, and one November general election.

In Verona’s nonpartisan election, which will be held next Tuesday, the group is supporting Deputy Mayor Christine McGrath. McGrath is seeking re-election, as is fellow incumbent Alex Roman; they face one challenger in Christian Strumolo, who has a history of legal issues.

Everytown is also backing incumbent Morristown Council President Sandi Mayer, who faces a Democratic primary challenge from Christopher Russo; Kathleen Dolan, who is one of three Democratic candidates aiming to flip two seats on the New Providence borough council; and Ryan Kennedy, a Hopewell Borough councilman running for mayor against former Hopewell Township Mayor Marylou Ferrara.

Finally, the group endorsed Tuckerton council candidate Robert Challender, who has no Democratic primary opposition in his uphill bid to win a seat in the heavily Republican town.

“Voters want candidates who will fight for gun safety – and there’s no stronger fighters than Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, an offshoot of Everytown. “We’re incredibly proud to endorse our volunteers who are looking to take the step from activist to lawmaker by Demanding a Seat at every level of government – and our grassroots army of fellow volunteers are ready to help get them elected.”