Wilkes announces Assembly bid in 38th

Businessman Barry Wilkes will seek a rematch against incumbents Lisa Swain (D-Fair Lawn) and Chris Tully (D-Bergenfield) for State Assembly in the Bergen County-based 38th legislative district.

Donald Trump carried the 38th by 65 votes against Kamala Harris last year in a district that Joe Biden carried by fourteen points in 2020.

“I am gratified and honored by the many calls I have received urging me to take on the Democrats in LD38 once again, who have spent the last two years sitting idly by as Joe Biden and Phil Murphy raised the cost of living for hard working New Jerseyans and turned our streets into a ‘sanctuary’ for illegal border crossers,” said Wilkes.  “I look forward to speaking with voters on the campaign trail who have long been abandoned by Phil Murphy, Lisa Swain, and Chris Tully. Together, we will build a new coalition and campaign that lifts up all New Jerseyans for generations to come.”

A former Glen Rock planning board member, Wilkes built a chain of eleven family-owned delicatessens across Bergen and Passaic counties.  He served on the Republican county committee for over two decades.  He’s been involved in the Rotary Club, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, and Habitat for Humanity.

“In his inaugural address, President Trump spoke of a coming ‘Golden Age’ for America. New Jersey – an historic leader for infrastructure, education, and business – can be at the forefront of this revitalization with the right leadership in Trenton,” Wilkes said.

In 2023, Wilkes ran six percentage points behind Tully.  The 38th includes Bergenfield, Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, Hasbrouck Heights, Little Ferry, Lodi, Maywood, Moonachie, New Milford, Oradell, Paramus, River Edge, Rochelle Park, Saddle Brook, South Hackensack, and Teterboro.