The New Jersey League of Conservation Voters endorsed 49 candidates in 28 county and municipal races across 11 counties, backing contenders who the environmental organization says would prioritize clean drinking water, open space preservation, flood prevention and clean energy.
The endorsements include Trenton mayoral candidate Austin Edwards, county commissioner candidates in seven counties, and candidates for municipal office in communities stretching from Atlantic Highlands to Washington Borough.
The organization, which describes itself as nonpartisan, said its choices include candidates from both political parties. Among the Republicans receiving endorsements are Hunterdon County Commissioner Shaun Van Doren and Sussex County Commissioner Jack DeGroot.
More than 60% of the endorsed candidates are women, and nearly one-quarter are people of color, the organization said.
“With affordability continuing to strain family budgets and ongoing attacks on environmental protections, it’s more important than ever to elect local leaders who will stand up for safe drinking water, healthy communities, affordable clean energy, and democracy,” said Allison McLeod, the organization’s interim executive director.
“From protecting neighborhoods from flooding and warehouse sprawl to expanding clean energy and lowering energy costs, local elected officials are on the front lines of the issues that matter most to residents,” McLeod said. “Their leadership will help shape healthier, more affordable, and more resilient communities for years to come.”
In Trenton, the organization endorsed Edwards for mayor and incumbent Crystal Feliciano for an at-large City Council seat. Edwards, a school board member and police officer, is challenging two-term incumbent Reed Gusciora.
Edwards cast his campaign’s environmental priorities in terms of the challenges facing residents of the state capital, including flooding, pollution and aging infrastructure.
“For me, environmental justice is about making sure Black and Latino families in Trenton do not continue carrying the heaviest burdens of flooding, aging infrastructure, extreme heat, pollution, and development decisions that too often happen without enough community input,” Edwards said.
Morris County had the largest concentration of endorsed candidates, with 15 contenders across county and municipal races.
The organization backed Chris Russo for Morris County commissioner, Melissa DiSalvo for Boonton Town Council, Nicholas Eck and Sophia Hull for Chatham Borough Council, and Lisa Walker for Lincoln Park Borough Council.
In Long Hill, it endorsed Jason Foley, David Hands and Mansi Patel for Township Committee. Incumbent Amalia Duarte received the group’s backing for Mendham Township Committee, while incumbent Samantha Rothman was endorsed for Morris Township Committee.
The organization also endorsed Nancy Verga for mayor of Morris Plains and Lee Connor and Rosaria DeNova for Borough Council.
Russo criticized funding decisions affecting the county’s parks.
“Morris County hosts one of the strongest county park systems in New Jersey, yet over many years the current County Commissioner Board has repeatedly cut funding constraining our ability to maintain these incredible public resources and environmentally safe grounds,” Russo said. “If elected as a Morris County Commissioner, I would commit to ensuring our public spaces receive appropriate investment and protection.”
In Burlington County, the organization endorsed incumbent Commissioner Randy Brolo and commissioner candidate Jonathan Chebra.
Its municipal endorsements there went to incumbent Denise Koetas-Dale and Luke Pavlov for Chesterfield Township Committee; incumbent Evesham Mayor Jaclyn Veasy and incumbent council members Heather Cooper and Krystal Hunter; and incumbent Moorestown council members Tom Bader and Quinton Law.
In Essex County, the group endorsed Deborah Engel and Christine McGrath for at-large commissioner seats, Medinah Muhammad for the District 3 commissioner seat and incumbent Leonard Luciano in District 4.
Muhammad said environmental conditions have immediate consequences for residents.
“For me, advocacy in this space means the difference between children struggling with asthma and children breathing clean air; between communities having access to electric vehicle charging infrastructure that helps reduce emissions and being left behind in the transition to a cleaner future; and between blocks of homes being prepared for flooding and families being devastated by another ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ storm,” Muhammad said.
In Somerset County, incumbent commissioners Paul Drake and Elizabeth Graner received the organization’s endorsement, along with incumbent Bernards Township Committeewoman Ana Duarte McCarthy and incumbent Warren Township committee members Shaun Fine and Vanessa Kian. Mallory Craig-Karim was endorsed for Somerville Borough Council.
In Monmouth County, commissioner candidates Chelsey Tanner and Sofia Ugarte received endorsements, as did incumbent Allentown Councilwoman Erica DeKranes and incumbent Atlantic Highlands council members Jon Crowley and Alyson Forbes.
Atlantic County endorsements went to Lisa Bender for county clerk and Kyle Gornick for county commissioner.
In Gloucester County, the organization backed incumbent Woolwich Township committee members Natalie Matthias and Jacqueline Williams.
Van Doren, the incumbent Hunterdon County commissioner, was endorsed along with incumbent Clinton Town council members John Kashwick and Kim Stentz.
“I am proud to stand alongside them to advocate for protection and preservation of our natural resources, open space and farmland for generations to come and safe drinking water for all residents,” Van Doren said.
DeGroot was the organization’s sole endorsed candidate in Sussex County.
“During my tenure, I’ve worked to preserve farmland and open space, protect our waterways, and address threats facing Lake Musconetcong,” DeGroot said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Sussex County and protecting its natural resources alongside the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters.”
In Warren County, the group endorsed Ethel Conry and Josephine Noone for Washington Borough Council.
Randy Jones, chairman of the organization’s board, said the endorsements reflect the influence local officeholders have over environmental decisions.
“Every election matters because the people we choose today will make the decisions that shape our air, water, open spaces, and energy future for years to come,” Jones said. “That’s why we’re committed to helping voters identify candidates who share our values and are ready to lead.”