Monmouth County Sheriff Primary Election 2025: Mike Warren

MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ — This year’s Democratic primary race for Monmouth County Sheriff is uncontested, with one candidate running for the party nomination.

In the Democratic primary, Mike Warren is running for nomination as Monmouth County Sheriff. In the Republican primary, incumbent Shaun Golden is running for re-election.

Early voting for the Primary Election will run from June 3 through June 8. Primary Election Day is June 10.

Are you running for County Sheriff in Monmouth County? Contact Sara Winick at sara.winick@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Patch.

Mike Warren

Age: 63
Town of Residence: Highlands
Education: SUNY Oswego, 1986
Occupation: Small Business Owner, Naval Sea Cadet Firearms Training Instructor, Officer of VFW Post 6902

What drove you to seek public office?
I was driven to seek public office because I am witnessing a political division in our country and community. I believe we need to invite everyone to the table and focus on what we have in common as opposed to what divides us. This will allow us to prioritize what’s most important — the people.

I’ve always been passionate about helping and protecting others, and serving as Monmouth County Sheriff will allow me to be of service to the community and ensure its safety.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?
I have a diverse portfolio of experience that includes operations management for nuclear power plants throughout the Northeast, ownership of a small construction business, and public service as a Board of Education member. I have supervised employees, managed budgets, and worked with unions, where I was able to demonstrate leadership and understanding of the need for teamwork in order to achieve results.

With my dynamic skill set I’ve developed as a small business owner and operations manager, I moved to New Jersey and landed in Monmouth County — where I immediately jumped in to assist with the rebuilding of the homes and communities that were devastated by Hurricane Sandy and assisted my neighbors to get their lives back on track.

I’ve seen how our county has rebuilt over the last decade, but in our current economic situation, we need someone in office that will not only be a voice for the folks who live here, but has the financial background to understand the ins and outs of a budget and how to prioritize the path to a sustainable future for Monmouth County residents.

What do you see as the biggest issue Monmouth County is facing, and how will you resolve it?
The budget for the county will need to be addressed sooner rather than later. With Federal cuts looming, we need to manage spending in a way that will ensure our county is successful not just now, but far into the future. That starts with analyzing the budget of the Sheriff's office, reallocating resources as necessary, and formulating a strategic plan to ensure the safety and security of Monmouth County and our neighbors.

What are past accomplishments or experiences that make you qualified for this position?
I am a Marine veteran who served honorably overseas, fully committed to the protection of our country. Currently, I serve as a firearms training instructor for the Naval Sea Cadets at Naval Weapons Station Earle. I am also the Commander of Highlands Post 6902 VFW, where we support veterans and their families, alongside our community.

In addition to my commitment to my community as a veteran, I have been a business owner for 30 years, served for three years on the Ramapo Central School Board, and spent 10 years managing nuclear power plant maintenance outages throughout the northeast.

Throughout these experiences, I gained a greater understanding of financial management with budgets in excess of $100 million, personnel supervision, scheduling, and contract negotiations with unions. These experiences have given me a strong foundation in leadership and the ability to improvise, adapt and overcome. With my military discipline, business acumen, and deep-rooted community ties, I am dedicated to everything that I do.

If elected, what do you most hope to achieve in Monmouth County?
As Monmouth County Sheriff, safety will be my number one priority for our residents, and that will start with ensuring that all law enforcement officers are fully equipped and supported. Similar to my experience as a Marine, I know that every action as Monmouth County Sheriff must be navigated with the intent to protect and serve our neighbors and communities alike. As Sheriff of Monmouth County, I will serve with integrity, accountability, and transparency.

Name one thing about Monmouth County that always makes you smile.
What makes me smile about Monmouth County is the people, specifically, the community I have found and fostered as a veteran and Commander of Highlands Post 6902 VFW.

I’m proud of the unity we have across the state and across our towns, and I’ve found my passion in supporting others, regardless of how different our experiences may be. My drive to serve those is not just my mission, but it’s my personal calling.