Saddle River Councilman Jon Kurpis today dropped out of the Republican primary for State Assembly in the 39th district and endorsed the two incumbents in an increasingly crowded field.
Kurpis said he analyzed over 5,400 pieces of legislation and said, “one truth became abundantly clear: Assemblyman Bob Auth and Assemblyman John Azzariti exemplify America First leadership at the highest level.”
“Their dedication to our district, their unwavering focus on policies that prioritize American citizens, and their legislative work product cannot be marginalized or discredited,” he said. “It is for this reason that I have chosen to humbly bow out of this race and, with great enthusiasm, endorse both Assemblyman Auth and Assemblyman Azzariti.”
Kurpis joined the race in November.
“I have no regrets,” he said. “I’m proud of the way I’ve handled the situation, and I stand by the decisions I’ve made along the way.”
That leaves investment banker and former congressional candidate Frank Pallotta, Woodcliff Lake Mayor Carlos Rendo, and Mahwah Councilman Ward Donigian in the race against Auth and Azzariti.
The son of Saddle River Mayor Albert Kurpis, Kurpis sought the Republican nomination for Assembly in 2021 on a ticket with Azzariti, then a councilman in Saddle River. Two incumbents, Auth and DeAnne DeFuccio (R-Upper Saddle River), defeated them by over 3,000 votes.
In 2023, after DeFuccio declined to run again, Kurpis sought party support for the seat but withdrew after Republicans backed Azzariti.
Last fall, Kurpis attacked Auth for supporting State Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) in the Republican gubernatorial primary.
“The loser Bramnick wing of the NJ GOP is now on notice because I’m fighting on behalf of the common man and woman and will think nothing of running sell-out Republicans over to help the people,” said Kurpis.
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June 7, 2021