NJ Governor Candidates Meet At Democrat Forum In Essex County (WATCH)

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Several Democratic candidates for New Jersey governor recently appeared at a forum in Maplewood ahead of the 2025 primary election.

Local advocacy group SOMA Action co-hosted a gubernatorial forum on April 23 at The Woodland in Maplewood. Watch video footage here, or view it below.

Additional co-sponsors included the Montclair Democratic Committee, South Orange Democratic Committee, Maplewood Democratic Committee and the West Orange Democratic Committee.

Four of six Democratic candidates running in the June 10 primary election attended the April 23 forum: Mikie Sherrill, Steve Fulop, Ras Baraka and Sean Spiller. Other Democratic candidates running in the primary include Josh Gottheimer and Steve Sweeney.

Republican candidates appearing on the primary ballot will include Mario Kranjac, Jon Bramnick, Jack Ciattarelli, Justin Barbera and Bill Spadea.

Gov. Phil Murphy is term-limited and can’t run again in 2025. Over the past year, a large field of candidates have been jockeying for position to replace him.

Democratic and Republican candidates will face off for their party’s nomination in a primary election on June 10. The winners will advance to the general election on Nov. 4, which will also include third-party or independent candidates such as Stephen Zielinski (Green Party), Gerardo Cedrone (independent), Karen Zaletel (independent), and Joanne Kuniansky (independent).

The voter registration deadline for the 2025 primary election in New Jersey is May 20. Learn how to vote by mail in Essex County here.

Early voting for the primary election will take place from June 3 to June 8 in Essex County. Voting hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. >> See Early Voting Locations In Essex County For 2025 Primary Election

Learn more about voting in the Garden State here.

• See Related: New Poll Shows GOP Gov Frontrunner In NJ, Close Democrat Race
• See Related: These 8 New Jersey Governor Candidates Qualified For Public Funds

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