Middlesex Dems Back Cohen For NJ-12 As Race To Replace Watson Coleman Heats Up

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen received the Middlesex County Democratic Organization's endorsement for the 12th Congressional District on March 11, as the party gathered for its annual convention in Woodbridge.

Cohen was among several candidates endorsed at the event, which also included endorsements for U.S. Senate, county commissioner and county surrogate races.

MCDO Chairman Kevin McCabe praised Cohen's record leading East Brunswick and framed the 2026 midterms as among the most consequential in recent memory.

"We have the opportunity to send real fighters to Washington, like Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. and Senator Cory Booker,” McCabe said.

"Including Middlesex's own East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen, who will go to Washington and deliver for our families. I have known Mayor Cohen as the Mayor of East Brunswick and he has helped transform that community. I am excited to see him bring the change he has brought to Rt. 18 to Washington. The progress we believe in does not happen by accident, it takes electing the right people. Middlesex County has always led the way, and this November, we will do it again."

The endorsement comes as Cohen navigates a crowded Democratic primary field to succeed Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, who announced she will not seek re-election.

In 2015, Watson Coleman made history by becoming the first African American woman to represent New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives.

More than a dozen candidates are vying for the seat, including Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp, Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Jay Vaingankar, Shanel Robinson, Susan Altman, Iziah Thompson, Kyle Little, Squire Servance, Adam Hamawy, Sujit Singh, Matt Adams, Michael Anderson, Raymond Heck, Tennille R. McCoy, Rick Morales, Elijah Dixon and Samuel Wang.

The June 2 primary will determine who advances to the general election in a district rated safe Democratic by major election forecasters.

Also endorsed at the convention were U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. in the 6th Congressional District, County Surrogate Claribel Cortes and County Commissioners Charlie Tomaro and Leslie Koppel.

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