Melonie Marano Archives - New Jersey Globe

Following party endorsement, Somerset Dems coalesce behind Bennett

March 27, 2026 11:55 am

Just over a week after delegates at the Somerset County Democratic convention endorsed Rebecca Bennett for the 7th congressional district, a big group of top Somerset Democrats are following suit. Officially endorsing Bennett’s campaign today are Somerset Democratic Chair Peg...

(Updated) Liz Graner elected Somerset County Commissioner

June 23, 2025 3:25 pmJune 24, 2025 12:39 am

Update at 6:38 PM: Elizabeth Graner won by acclamation after Daryl Eisenberg Knegten dropped out of the race. She will serve as an interim Somerset County Commissioner and become the Democratic nominee for an unexpired term in November 2025. The...

Somerset Democrats keep full hold on county government

November 9, 2022 1:25 amNovember 9, 2022 1:26 am

The New Jersey Globe projects that three Democratic incumbents have won re-election to countywide office in Somerset County, fending off a strong Republican challenge that aimed to return the county to its Republican roots. As of 1:25 a.m., Commissioner Melonie...

Somerset and Burlington Republicans look to regain lost ground in 2022

August 5, 2022 4:00 pmSeptember 6, 2022 1:52 pm

The recent history of the Somerset and Burlington County Republican parties can be summarized in two simple sentences. When Donald Trump took office as president in 2017, they each held every single county office. Today, they hold none. It’s not...

Murad wins Somerset GOP convention for county commissioner

March 15, 2022 9:47 pm

Watchung school board member Amber Murad won the Somerset County Republican organization line for County Commissioner on Tuesday, defeating former Bound Brook Councilman John-Paul Levin by a vote of 124 to 81, 60.5%-39.5%. Murad is expected to face the Democratic...

Somerset GOP picking congressional, countywide candidates on Tuesday

March 14, 2022 10:31 amMarch 14, 2022 12:42 pm

The final convention in the race for the GOP nomination for Congress in New Jersey’s 7th district will be held on Tuesday night in Somerset County. The front-runner, former Senate Minority Leader Thomas Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield), faces three challengers, including...

Somerset Dems celebrate Murphy aide’s win in Green Brook

November 25, 2020 12:38 pmNovember 25, 2020 6:16 pm

Matt Stanisci is a familiar face in Trenton, where he works for Gov. Phil Murphy. Now he’s an elected official in Somerset County. Stanisci finished first in a race for two township committee seats there, running three votes ahead of...