3rd Congressional District Primary Election 2026: Jason Cullen

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — The ballot season is in full swing in the Garden State, and Patch has asked local candidates aiming to win a seat in the United States House of Representatives to share their thoughts before the Primary Election on June 2.

Editor's Note: Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses listed for their campaign in Burlington County's official voting materials. The responses received will be published between now and the general election. Contact edward.callahan@patch.com with any questions regarding coverage.

Name: Jason Cullen

Age: 45

Town of residence: Manalapan

Position sought: US House of Representatives

Party affiliation: Republican

Family: Wife and two daughters

Education: BA in Communications

Occupation: Sales Executive

Previous or current elected or appointed office: N/A

Why are you seeking office?

I’m running because of my two daughters. Watching them grow up while watching how this country was being run made it clear: they aren’t on track to inherit the same America I did, with the same hopes and opportunities.

If we don’t preserve the American Dream for the next generation, it fades away completely.

I refused to be the guy sitting on the couch just complaining about the direction of our country. I wanted to step up, get involved, and take ownership of their future.

What additional measures would you suggest to build on one or two things that are done right now within the 3rd District?

Right now, two things we must build on in the 3rd District are supporting Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and protecting our local family farms.

First, while the Joint Base remains a vital economic driver, we need to go further by passing strict national security measures to ban foreign adversaries from purchasing agricultural land anywhere near our domestic military facilities.

Second, while there are efforts to support our agricultural community, we need to aggressively cut the federal red tape and crushing regulations that squeeze our family farms, ensuring they stay economically viable for the next generation. It’s about protecting our security and our local economy at the exact same time.

If you were to start your own board or commission, what would it be for and why? What issues would you want to address, or areas would you want to highlight?

I would establish a Commission on Government Waste and Family Affordability.

Its sole focus would be to root out the reckless federal spending that drives inflation and directly hits the wallets of families here in New Jersey. I want to highlight the skyrocketing costs of everyday essentials like groceries and energy, and put forward concrete, common-sense solutions to lower the cost of living.

We need a dedicated entity that treats taxpayer money with the fiscal responsibility it deserves, ensuring that hard-working families can actually afford to live, work, and thrive in their own communities.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The critical difference is that I am not a career politician, and I’m not running to serve a political party or special interests. I’m a husband, a father, and a regular member of this community who lives with the exact same real-world challenges that everyone else in the 3rd District faces.

While others might look at this post as a career move or an exercise in party loyalty, I look at it through the lens of a parent worried about the country my daughters are going to inherit.

My focus is entirely on practical, common-sense solutions, cutting reckless government spending to bring down inflation, protecting our local family farms, and securing our community.

I answer to the voters, not political insiders, and that independence is exactly what separates me from the field.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence that you can handle this job?

My entire career has been built on the ground floor of the private sector in sales, marketing, and account management.

Every single day, my job is about relationship building, high-stakes negotiation, and closing the deal. In business, if you don't deliver real, measurable results, you don't survive. I know how to bring competing sides to the table, find common ground, and negotiate from a position of strength to get things done.

Washington is completely broken because it's full of people who only know how to talk; I’m bringing a proven track record of actually closing the deal and delivering results for the people of the 3rd District.

What's a motto you live your life by?

“Don’t complain about the problem unless you’re willing to be part of the solution.”

It’s easy to sit back, look at the direction of the country, and grumble about how broken things are. But leadership means taking ownership.

If you want a better future for your family and your community, you have to be willing to get off the couch, step into the arena, and do the heavy lifting yourself.

What does it mean to you to represent Burlington County and the other sections of the district?

Representing Burlington County and the rest of the 3rd District means being a tireless advocate for the people who make this region the backbone of New Jersey.

Burlington County represents a vital mix of our nation's defense, with Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, alongside deeply rooted agricultural communities and hard-working suburban families.

Whether it's the farms and defense hubs in Burlington or the close-knit neighborhoods in Monmouth and Mercer, the core mission is the same: ensuring our communities are secure, our local economy is strong, and the crushing cost of living is brought down.

To me, this job isn't about political status, it’s a profound responsibility to protect our way of life and ensure that families across every square mile of this district have the opportunity to thrive.

MORE FROM PATCH: Early Voting For Primaries Begins With Additional Polling Site In Burlington County

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