OCEAN COUNTY – Mikie Sherrill secured the most votes at the Ocean County Democrats’ mini-convention at Central Regional High School. However, she did not meet the majority threshold required to receive the organization’s endorsement in the June 10 primary for New Jersey governor.
Sherrill received 63 votes (38.4%), followed by Stephen Sweeney with 31 votes (18.9%), Ras Baraka with 26 votes (15.8%), Steven Fulop with 23 votes (14.0%), and Sean Spiller with 21 votes (12.8%).
Ocean County Democratic Chairman Wyatt Earp said he received a message from Josh Gottheimer that he was unable to make the event. His name was removed from the ballot per convention rules. Fulop’s name was also eliminated from the ballot at his request, although his supporters decided to write him in as their choice for governor.
Fulop has put together a team throughout the state with state assembly candidates that plan to run together under the slogan “Democrats for Change.” He and the five chosen to represent districts that include Ocean County appeared at the convention. However, Fulop left before the start of speeches and voting.
During preliminary remarks, Earp said that he had received communication from Fulop and his attorney requesting the removal of his name and four assembly candidates from the ballot.
“We’re dismayed to learn that the state assembly, senate and governor signed legislation diminishing the ability for good candidates from participating in primary elections by setting up artificial barriers for a number of petition signatures, and another attempt to design a ballot in ways that favor the democratic machine,” read Earp.
The Ocean County Democrat leaders, Wyatt Earp and Marta Harrison, discuss the election. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
“The legislation creates artificial barriers for good candidates by increasing petition signature requirements and allowing ballot designs that favor the political establishment,” Fulop’s letter stated.
In a separate letter distributed to Ocean County committee members, Fulop described his campaign as “unapologetically about reforming government but also changing and improving the political process in New Jersey.” Without naming specific counties, Fulop criticized party leadership’s influence over election outcomes, arguing that it fosters a system where elected officials are more accountable to party bosses than voters.
The names removed included Fulop, along with LD-9 candidates Donald Campbell and Rosalie Keech, and LD-10 candidates Phil Nufrio and Debra Di Donato. However, Freshta Taeb, a candidate in LD-12 who is also part of Fulop’s team, was not named in the letter. She was allowed to join the other candidates listed on the mini-convention ballot to speak before the official vote took place. Taeb confirmed that she intends to continue as part of the “Democrats for Change” team.
Gubernatorial candidate Sean Spiller addresses the Ocean County Democrats. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Candidates Recommended
While the mini-convention’s results do not determine ballot placement, they serve as a recommendation for candidates to run under the regular Democratic slogan. The following candidates were unopposed and endorsed by the convention:
LD-9: Lisa Bennett
LD-10: Janine Bauer, Pam Daniels
LD-12: Freshta Taeb
LD-30: Avi Schnall
Ocean County Sheriff: Jeff Horan
Ocean County Commissioners: Art Halloran, Brandon Rose
Ocean County Clerk: Sam Pinkava
“This is the first time we’re casting a vote since the county line was eliminated last year,” Earp noted during the convention.
Michael Jenkins, president of the Lacey Democratic Club, sought clarification on the vote’s significance.
“You’re voting that it will be on record if the Ocean County Democrats pick a candidate – that’s who we support on record,” Earp explained. “It will be the recommendation to use our slogan, which is the regular Democratic slogan.”
Debra Di Donato (LD-10 assembly candidate) and Steve Fulop before the start of the convention. Their names were removed from the ballot at their request. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Election Changes
Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation recently requiring an office-block format for primary ballots. The county line system, which previously allowed party leaders in most counties to group endorsed candidates together, will no longer be used. Instead, candidates running for the same office will now be listed together, making the ballot more neutral.
The reform follows a lawsuit filed by then-Congressman and now Senator Andy Kim, who successfully challenged the county line system while running for U.S. Senate. In 2024, a federal judge ruled in Kim’s favor, leading to an appeals court upholding the decision. The new law cements this change statewide.
Gubernatorial candidates Sean Spiller and Stephen Sweeney talk during the mini-convention. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Party Unity
Mikie Sherrill, Sean Spiller, and Stephen Sweeney delivered speeches ahead of the vote, while Orange Mayor Dwayne D. Warren spoke on behalf of Ras Baraka. All cited their experience as elected officials and their motivation for seeking the governor’s seat.
Earp emphasized party unity in his closing remarks. “Just to be very, very clear, there is no way that in this state we can afford to have a Republican governor,” he said. “I know each and every one of these candidates personally, and I’d be happy if any of them were the nominee in November.”
Sherrill (D-11th), a Navy veteran and former federal prosecutor, focused her speech on national political challenges. “I do not recognize what’s going on in Washington, D.C., right now,” she said. “People are afraid of Trump, afraid to stand up, and it’s harming our country.”
She pointed to her experience flipping a Republican-held congressional district in 2018 as proof that she can build a winning coalition in November. “I was told I couldn’t do it, that a 20-year incumbent was too powerful, but I refused to give up,” Sherrill said. “We need to bring together grassroots progressives, unions, and voters who’ve lost faith in government. That’s how we win.”
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