Morris legislators split along party lines on county commissioner race

Democrats haven’t won a seat on Morris County government in 53 years, but Assemblywoman Marisa Sweeney (D-Morristown), who knows a thing or two about winning elections in Republican territory, thinks Chris Russo might have what it takes to end that streak.

Two Republican legislators, Assemblyman Brian Bergen (R-Denville) and State Sen. Joe Pennacchio (R-Montville), are confident that incumbent County Commissioner Tayfun Selen will win another term.

“I think he’s a great candidate. I think it’s likely going to be a very close race,” Sweeney said of Russo, the vice president of the Morristown Council. “It’s going to be a tough one to call. We’ll see how it goes.”

Asked whether Russo could become the first Democrat elected to Morris County government since Douglas Romaine won a freeholder seat in 1973, Sweeney said, “I think he definitely is of the caliber to.”

Sweeney’s upset victory in the once-reliably Republican 25th Legislative District last year has given Morris County Democrats new optimism, although winning countywide remains a challenge.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill carried Morris County by less than a percentage point in 2025, even as Republicans swept all three county commissioner seats.

Bergen, who represents the neighboring 26th Legislative District, doesn’t see that changing.

“No chance, there’s no chance they’re picking up a seat. Tayfun’s got this locked,” Bergen said.

“Morris County is coming out strong for Tayfun,” he said. “I’m not even the least bit concerned.”

Bergen acknowledged broader political challenges for Republicans but insisted that Selen, a former Chatham Township mayor seeking his third full term, would be unaffected.

“Concerned broadly about the country and other places in the state, but I’m not concerned about Tayfun,” Bergen said. “I think he’s going to win this hands down.”

Pennacchio, a former Morris County freeholder, attributed the GOP’s longevity to its record in county government.

“There’s a reason they haven’t won a seat in 50 years, because Republicans do a good job in running the county, triple-A bond rating,” Pennacchio said.

“They’re honest, they’re hardworking, they show up to a lot of functions, they make themselves known,” he added. “They don’t just show up every three years when there’s an election.”

Pennacchio also noted that the president’s party has historically lost ground in midterm elections, although incumbency can help.

Selen defeated Democrat Cary Amaro, 52% to 48%, in 2020, even as Joe Biden became the first Democratic presidential nominee since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964 to carry Morris County. He won re-election against Rockaway Township Councilman Jonathan Sackett in 2023, 54% to 46%.

Russo has made the Republicans’ five-decade hold on county government a central argument for his candidacy, calling for a fresh perspective while pledging to preserve programs that are working.

The question is whether the Democratic gains that helped elect Biden, Sherrill and Sweeney can finally extend to Morris County government.