Write-In Campaigns Launched For 2 Bloomfield Town Council Candidates: 2026 Election

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Write-in campaigns have been launched for two candidates in Bloomfield’s 2026 town council race: Stefanie Santiago and Stephanie Bootwala.

Three Democrats will appear alone on the ballot in each of Bloomfield's town council wards for the general election on Nov. 3: Rosalee Gonzalez (1st ward), Greg Babula (2nd ward), and Sarah Cruz (3rd ward). No Republicans filed to run this year.

Santiago and Bootwala each ran for council seats in the June primary election: Santiago in the 1^st ward and Bootwala in the 3^rd ward.

The election results were close in both wards, according to the Essex County Clerk’s Office. Gonzalez edged out Santiago by 158 votes, and Cruz beat Bootwala by 273 votes.

The pathway appeared clear for an unchallenged run to November for Gonzalez and Cruz, who ran on a common slate with a third candidate in the 2^nd ward, Jason Martinez, and Babula, who ran alongside Santiago and Bootwala.

And that’s when the write-in campaigns began.

According to Santiago, neither she or Bootwala organized the campaigns. Both candidates have said they are willing to accept the call to serve if elected, however – and each continues to campaign online as Election Day draws closer.

“I want to make it clear that this has been organized by residents upset with their choices as they prepare for the upcoming general election,” Santiago wrote in late September.

“Since June's primary, some neighbors have approached asking if I had any intention to lead a write-in campaign for November and my answer remains unchanged: I will not be directly involved in actions that go against the results of the primary election,” Santiago said.

“However, I believe in the will of the people and if that will is to write me in on their ballots, I would accept their call for me to serve,” she added.

Santiago said the concerns that initially prompted her to run for office remain unsolved – and some have gotten worse.

“I do not actively campaign against the winners of the primary election, but I will be following the will of the people in this general election and hope the candidates realize they still need to prove that they deserve your vote,” Santiago said.

Like Santiago, Bootwala has been posting about the write-in campaigns on her social media pages.

“I am proud to have met so many wonderful, concerned, curious, and even cynical residents since I started my primary campaign in February,” Bootwala wrote Wednesday.

“This has shaped every step of my local advocacy and of course my campaigning,” she continued. “These supporters (and non-supporters) have influenced why I run, what issues I focus on, and taught me how to build the community we want to see.”

Meanwhile, Cruz and Gonzalez also continue to campaign as Election Day creeps closer. Both recently saw endorsements from Elect Women NJ, which is supporting 99 women in 20 of New Jersey's 21 counties this year.

While rare, write-in campaigns have occasionally been successful in New Jersey, particularly in places where no candidates officially appeared on the ballot. Recent examples include victories in Belmar, Rocky Hill and Fredon Township.

• Related: NJ Political Heavyweights Choose Sides In Bloomfield Town Council Race
• Related: Early Voting Begins In Bloomfield: What Voters Need To Know

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