LaRae Smith Archives - New Jersey Globe

Party-backed commissioner slate wins in Cumberland as local Dem civil war continues

June 11, 2025 1:17 am

A three-way Democratic primary for two seats on the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners has resulted in a close victory for the party-backed ticket, the New Jersey Globe projects, although what “party-backed” means in the far South Jersey county is...

A rundown of the contested primaries for county office

June 10, 2025 5:59 amJune 10, 2025 7:44 am

Six counties have contested primaries for countywide office in two weeks, with the premier race in Hudson County, where a five-term incumbent is battling the mayor of Bayonne in the race for the Democratic nomination for sheriff in a contest...

Dem leadership-backed county candidates win in Cumberland

June 4, 2024 10:49 pm

Two candidates for Cumberland County Commissioner allied with the current party leadership won a four-way primary to take on a pair of Republican incumbents in the fall. Former Sheriff Robert Austino (35%) and former Commissioner Johnny Capizola (29%) defeated candidates...

Mayhem and chaos in Cumberland Democratic primary

June 2, 2024 4:27 pmJune 2, 2024 7:27 pm

Over the last two years, Cumberland County has flipped to the Republicans, who now hold all seven county commissioner seats and occupy the sheriff and surrogate posts. The last-standing Democrat is County Clerk Celeste Riley, who faces a tough race...