GOP Mayoral Candidates To Face Off In Parsippany This Week

PARSIPPANY, NJ — Parsippany's mayoral candidates are set to debate Thursday night. The virtual forum between Mayor James Barberio and Councilman Justin Musella begins at 7 p.m.

The League of Women Voters of the Morristown Area and the Women's Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills are co-sponsoring the debate. The public can view the event on the League of Women Voters chapter's YouTube channel, live and afterward.

Barberio and Musella have publicly clashed over a range of township issues, including PILOT projects, town government transparency, and the annual budget. The two will face off in the June GOP primary for the opportunity to lead Morris County's largest town, with a population of 56,000.

Barberio, first elected as Parsippany’s mayor in 2009 and re-elected in 2013, lost the seat to Democrat Michael Soriano in 2017. However, he made a comeback in 2021 by defeating Soriano. Now, he is running for re-election alongside two town council candidates: current Council Vice President Frank Neglia and Jigar Shah.

Musella, who was elected alongside Barberio and Neglia back in 2021, has selected two council candidates—Casey Parikh and John Bielen—as part of his own ticket.

The debate will also include questions submitted in advance by Parsippany residents.