LD26 Republicans announce re-election campaigns

Republican incumbents in the 26th legislative district announced re-election campaigns Tuesday.

State Sen. Joe Pennacchio (R-Montville), Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris Plains) and Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce (R-Parsippany-Troy Hills) jointly announced they would seek new terms in the legislature.

“I am excited to announce my reelection campaign today. The challenges that face New Jersey are great. As Governor Murphy fumbles the response to COVID-19 — leaving our seniors vulnerable & thousands dead all the while strangling our economy and our small businesses,” Pennacchio said. “It is more important than ever to have legislators in Trenton to stand up to the failed Murphy Administration.”

The district’s Assembly members will face a primary challenge from former Pompton Lakes Councilman Christian Barranco, an electrician with the politically influential IBEW Local 102.

Barranco mulled an Assembly bid last year but chose not to run over concerns about residency requirements.

“New Jerseyans deserve a freer, fairer, more prosperous home.  Phil Murphy and his Trenton friends won’t and can’t provide that — they are consumed by their high-tax, big-spend, and careless-debt agenda,” Webber said.

Barranco is a friend of Webber and was involved in his 2018 congressional campaign. The primary challenge may be aimed more at DeCroce.

The relationship between the Assembly running mates has, at times, proven to be a fraught one, and while they announced their re-election campaigns together, there’s no clear indication that they’ll run as a team in the primary.

“I have never been more energized to continue my work in Trenton. Work to support our small business community. Work to grow our economy. Work to stop the never-ending tax increases and out-of-control government spending. Work to invest in our critical infrastructure,” DeCroce said. “Now more than ever, we need legislators in Trenton that are looking out for New Jersey families.”