Atlantic Democrats announce two Assembly candidates

Two Democratic organization-backed candidates for State Assembly have joined the race to recapture seats in Atlantic County’s 2nd legislative district, setting up a primary against two contenders backed by Jersey City Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Steve Fulop.

Pleasantville Councilwoman Joanne Famularo, who came within 688 votes of ousting Atlantic County Commissioner Maureen Kern last year, will run for the legislature on a ticket with Maureen Rowan, a retired attorney.  They’ll seek to unseat two-term Republican incumbents Don Guardian (R-Atlantic City) and Claire Swift (R-Margate).

“Since being elected in 2021, our opponents have passed only four bills that were signed into law,” Rowan and Famularo said. “Atlantic County deserves lawmakers who will get the job done and fight for every dollar to come back to Atlantic County, not backbenchers who are just there to collect paychecks. We’ll be on the front lines fighting for families like ours.”

Famularo has won two Pleasantville council races and previously served on the school board.

“I knocked on thousands of doors last year, and one thing Democrats and Republicans have in common is disliking politicians who just tell you what you want to hear,” Famularo stated. “We heard that last year when our opponents threatened to abolish the ACUA and lay off 300 people just to win an election. What you hear from Maureen and I on the campaign trail will be the same thing you hear from us in the State House: the truth.”

Rowan ran a Philadelphia law firm for 25 years and lives in Atlantic City.

“Voters have made it clear that they want elected officials who are focused on bringing costs down and increasing wages,” said Rowan. “While our opponents are focused on culture war issues that do nothing to help families make ends meet, Joanne and I will be laser-focused on making Atlantic County a more affordable place to live.”

In a lineless, office block ballot primary, Rowan and Famularo will face former Atlantic City Councilman Bruce Weekes and Lisa Bonanno, a nurse and political activist.   The Fulop ticket has the backing of Atlantic City Mayor Mayor Marty Small, Sr. and County Commissioner Ernest Coursey.

Guardian and Swift flipped the two Assembly seats in 2021, ousting incumbent John Armato (D-Buena) and defeating Atlantic County Commissioner Caren Fitzpatrick by a wide margin. Republican Jack Ciattarelli won the 2nd by nearly seven percentage points against Gov. Phil Murphy.

In last year, presidential election, Democrat Kamala Harris won the 2nd by 1.7%; Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton had each won the district by twelve points.

The 2nd district includes Absecon, Atlantic City, Brigantine, Egg Harbor Township, Galloway, Hamilton, Linwood, Longport, Margate City, Northfield, Pleasantville, Port Republic, Somers Point, and Ventnor City.