Brick Man Joins Republican Race For New Jersey Governor

BRICK, NJ — A Brick Township man has announced he is joining the race to be elected New Jersey governor in 2025.

Robert Canfield, a real estate broker agent, announced he is seeking the Republican nomination in the fight to succeed Phil Murphy as the governor of New Jersey.

He joins a Republican field that includes state Sen. Jon Bramnick, who represents the 21st District covering parts of Morris and Somerset counties, and Jack Ciattarelli, who ran against Murphy in 2021 but was defeated.

Canfield said his campaign is "firmly rooted in the principles of freedom, fairness, and family," and that he will "uphold and defend the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens, ensuring that New Jersey remains a place where individual liberties are protected."

"New Jersey deserves a leader who understands the importance of preserving our constitutional rights while ensuring public safety," Canfield said. "I am committed to policies that strike a balance between freedom and responsibility, allowing our citizens to live without unnecessary government intrusion."

Canfield, 32, has a bachelor's degree in pastoral ministry from the University of Valley Forge and a master's degree in theology. He has served as a youth minister and a volunteer pastor at several local churches.

Canfield has never held elective office in New Jersey, but he has run for office several times. He ran for mayor of Brick Township as an independent in 2017, an election won by incumbent John Ducey. He ran for the Brick Township Board of Education in 2018 and 2019, and ran for the Ocean County Board of Commissioners in 2021 as a Libertarian.

He said a key pillar of his campaign is transforming New Jersey's educational landscape, and says he is determined to overhaul the state's education funding model to ensure it is equitable and effective.

"Every child deserves access to a quality education, and every parent has the right to be involved in their child's learning journey," Canfield said. "We need to move towards a funding system that prioritizes student success over bureaucratic interests."

He also wants to reinstate cost-of-living increases to the pensions of retired police officers and fire personnel.

"Our retired heroes, who spent their lives ensuring our safety and security, deserve financial stability in their retirement," he said.

Canfield said he is running because he is "driven by the belief that effective leadership involves listening to the community, understanding their needs, and acting with integrity and transparency," and says he believes his business and community service experience provide with a fresh perspective and innovative solutions.

He has a website, Rob4NJ.org, and is on multiple social media sites.