Millennials for NJ touts success in 2019

Seven candidates endorsed by Millennials for NJ, a political action committee formed this year to elect young Democrats to public office won their races on Tuesday.

The marquis win is Jeff Martin, who ousted two-term Republican Kelly Yaede to become the mayor of Hamilton Township, the 9th largest municipality in the state.

The group endorsed twelve candidates this cycle and contributed money to each of them.

“We were proud to provide our endorsement and our resources to all twelve of the candidates selected and we are looking forward to watching what the seven winning candidates are able to accomplish in public office” said Millennials for NJ chairman Matt Anderson. “While campaigns present challenges, public service is a unique honor and I’d like to thank our Board and everyone who contributed to our organization for helping to allow new voices to enter the arena. Our generation has much to offer in the service of our communities and we will begin working to identify candidates for the next cycle as quickly as possible.”

Two of the winners came from Dumont, which Bergen County Democrats are touting as an important win in an open seat race in a town that had a Republican mayor.

Millennials for NJ backed Mayor-elect Andrew LaBruno and Councilman-elect Conor Gorman.

The PAC also backed Assemblyman Christopher Tully (D-Bergenfield), Fair Haven Councilwoman-elect Megan Chrisner-Keefe, Pitman Councilwoman-elect Vanessa James, and Rahway school board member Brittany Hale.

Martin called the support of Millennials for NJ was “a crucial component of our success.”

“We have a lot of work to do as the next mayor of Hamilton, but I am looking forward to helping Matt (Anderson) and his team grow the organization to help more millennials like myself get elected,” said Martin, the current council president.

LaBruno said that he called Anderson “at the eleventh hour looking for some help, and Millennials for NJ came through.”

“Millennials for NJ is an incredible organization, and they showed a true commitment to helping the next generation achieve representation in government,” said LaBruno.” I am looking forward to partnering with them in the future.”

In addition to Anderson, the PAC board includes Kaylee McGuire, a committee aide for the Assembly Democrats; Rebecca Schwartz, an aide to Gov. Phil Murphy; Matt Clarkin, the chief of staff to Parsippany Mayor Michael Soriano,; and Juan Carlos Nordelo, the legislative director for the 19th district legislative office.