Essex County Sheriff 2024 Primary Election Results (UPDATED)

This article was updated at 10:09 p.m. on June 4

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The race to replace soon-to-retire Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura has begun.

Garden State voters went to the polls on Tuesday to cast ballots in the 2024 Democratic and Republican primary elections. The winners will earn their party’s nomination for the general election, which will take place on Nov. 5.

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In Essex County, voters were asked to choose candidates for Essex County sheriff. This year’s contest is unusually competitive, with four candidates trying to replace Fontoura, a Democrat who is retiring after decades of service.

Amir Jones is running against Gary Nash for the Democratic Party nomination. Nicholas Pansini and Robert Bianco squared off for the Republican Party nomination.

Here are the latest election results as per the Essex County Clerk’s Office, which remain uncertified:

DEMOCRAT (95.65 percent of districts reported)

As of Tuesday night, Jones held a wide lead over Nash, according to unofficial results:

• Amir Jones – 36,762 votes (83.54%)
• Gary Nash – 7,241 votes (16.46%)

REPUBLICAN (95.65 percent of districts reported)

As of Tuesday night, Pansini held a significant lead over Bianco, according to unofficial results:

• Nicholas Pansini – 5,614 votes (74.13%)
• Robert Bianco – 1,959 votes (25.87%)

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