Ciesla to seek third bid as Warren County commissioner

Warren County Commissioner Lori Ciesla announced her bid for a third term on the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday.

Ciesla, currently the board’s director, said the board has improved high-speed internet access, public safety, and education programs during her time in office. She said she enters the race with endorsements from state Sen. Doug Steinhardt (R-Lopatcong), state Sen. Parker Space (R-Wantage), the county’s four GOP assemblymembers, and her two fellow GOP commissioners.

“I am deeply honored to have earned the trust of Warren County residents during my time in office,” Ciesla said in her announcement. “Our Board has worked tirelessly to preserve the rural character, fiscal strength, and quality of life that make Warren County special.”

Even if 2026 is a heavily Democratic environment, Republicans will almost surely win Warren County. In last fall’s gubernatorial race, Republican Jack Ciattarelli won Warren County by 15 points despite losing the state by more than 14.

As of Tuesday, Ciesla is the only candidate who has filed for the seat.

A former Lopatcong council president, Ciesla first won a commissioner election in 2020 and won re-election in 2023. Republicans control the board 3-0. Warren County, the state’s third least-populous county, has not elected a Democrat to a countywide office since 1997.