Essex County Primary Election: See Commissioner, Surrogate Candidates

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The 2023 primary election is getting closer in Essex County, with Democratic and Republican candidates for county commissioner and surrogate filing their petitions earlier this week.

With the exception of the Democratic Party race for at-large county commissioner, the candidates will face an uncontested road to the general election in November. But first, they’ll have to officially gain their party’s nomination in the primary election on Tuesday, June 6.

Learn more about elections and voter registration in Essex County here. Learn more about voting in New Jersey here.

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COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

The Essex County Board Of County Commissioners has several powers, including approval of the annual operating and capital budgets (property taxes in New Jersey are made up of three parts: school, municipal and county). Other powers include passing ordinances and resolutions, overriding a veto of the county executive and conducting investigations.

There are four at-large seats up for grabs on the board of commissioners this year. Each term lasts for three years.

Four Democratic Party incumbents have filed to run for re-election: Brendan Gill, Romaine Graham, Patricia Sebold and Wayne Richardson, who currently serves as commissioner in District 2 and will be running for the vacancy left by retiring commissioner Rufus Johnson. Each has been endorsed by the Essex County Democratic Committee. They will face a challenge from newcomer Justin Harris, who is running on a slate with Sen. Nia Gill.

Four Republican candidates have filed to run for at-large seats on the commissioner board in the primary election: Joseph Cifelli, Alexandra Campisi, Aristotle Popolizio and Michael Pocelinko.

Meanwhile, other candidates have filed to run for five open seats in each commissioner district. None face a challenge for their party’s nomination. The list includes:

District 1: Newark (North Ward, East Ward, and parts of Central, South and West Wards)

• Democrat – Robert Mercado (incumbent)
• Republican – No petitions filed

District 2: Newark (parts of South and Central Wards), Irvington, Maplewood

• Democrat – A’Dorian Murray-Thomas
• Republican – No petitions filed

District 3: Newark (part of West Ward), East Orange, Orange, South Orange

• Democrat – Tyshammie Cooper (incumbent)
• Republican – No petitions filed

District 4: Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Livingston, Millburn, North Caldwell, Roseland, Verona, West Caldwell and West Orange

• Democrat – Leonard Luciano (incumbent)
• Republican – Adam Kraemer

District 5: Belleville, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Montclair, Nutley

• Democrat – Carlos Pomares (incumbent)
• Republican – Kristen Bloschak

COUNTY SURROGATE

The duties of the Essex County Surrogate’s Office include probating wills, appointing administrators for those who die without a will of estates, qualifying trustees, and qualifying guardians of incapacitated persons. The surrogate's court is also the custodian of minors’ funds until the minor turns 18 years of age, when they either receive the proceeds from a lawsuit or are named as a beneficiary of an insurance policy or in a will.

Two people have filed to run for a five-year term as surrogate in the 2023 primary election. Both face uncontested bids for their party’s nomination:

• Democrat – Alturrick Kenny (incumbent)
• Republican – Peter Russo

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