Your handy breakdown of the state, county, and local races for Tuesday’s June 5 primary elections.
By Matt Skoufalos | June 4, 2018
On Tuesday, voters from New Jersey’s political parties will head to the polls to select the candidates who will represent them in this fall’s general election.
After last fall’s gubernatorial contest, the biggest question New Jersey voters face in these elections is who will represent them at the national level. Twelve of the state’s U.S. Congressional seats are up for grabs statewide, as is one of its two U.S. Senate seats. The outcome of these races will help determine the complexion of both national legislative bodies in November’s midterm elections.
Locally, voters will elect three Camden County freeholders and a sheriff. Of the municipal elections coming this fall, only those in Audubon Park, Haddon Heights, and Pennsauken will be contested on the ballot.
New Jersey has closed primaries: voters must declare their affiliations for a party in order to participate. Registered, unaffiliated voters may declare their party affiliation at the polls.
U.S. Senate Race
Clockwise, from left: Bob Menendez, Lisa McCormick, Brian Goldberg, and Bob Hugin. Credit: NJPEN.
Incumbent Democrat Bob Menendez will face off against media publisher Lisa A. McCormick for his party’s nomination in the fall general election.
The winner will face either former pharmaceutical executive Bob Hugin of the Camden County Regular Republicans or construction exec Brian D. Goldberg of the Camden County MAGA Republicans.
U.S. Congressional Race
Clockwise, from left: Donald Norcross, Rob Carlson, Paul Dilks, and Scot John Tomaszewski. Credit: NJPEN.
Incumbent Camden County Democrat Donald Norcross faces in-party challenges from IT director Robert Carlson of Collingswood, running on the slogan “Democrats for Change,” and electrician Scot John Tomaszewski of Cherry Hill, who is running on “The Underdog” slogan.
The winner will face former AM radio personality Paul E. Dilks of Washington Township in the fall general election.
Camden County Freeholder Race
From left: Camden County Freeholder candidates Jeff Nash, Susan Shin Angulo, Bill Moen, Claire Gustafson, Keith Cybulski, and Vincent Squire. Credit: NJPEN.
Three seats are up for grabs on the county freeholder board, with 11 candidates challenging incumbents Jeff Nash, Susan Shin Angulo, and Bill Moen on the Democratic ticket.
- In Column 3, Martha L. Canas and Mary Ann Dunn are running under the slogan, “Reform the Democratic Party Today.”
- In Column 4, Kathleen A. Kunyczka and Robert J. Strong are running under the slogan, “Real Progressives for a Better Tomorrow.”
- In Column 4, Alexis De Luca and Patricia Griffis are running under the slogan, “Make Tomorrow a Better Place.”
- In Column 6, James Coyle and Jo Anne Rossell are running under the slogan, “True Middle Class Advocates.”
- In Column 7, Chris Kehner and Ralph T. Gorgo, Jr. are running under the slogan, “People Not Politics.”
- In Column 8, Michael Leonetti is running under the slogan, “Life is Better in Camden County.”
Republicans Keith Cybulski, Vincent Squire, and Claire Gustafson are running unopposed for the three seats on their ballot.
Camden County Sheriff Race
Incumbent Democrat Whip Wilson will face Republican challenger Joseph Adolf in the November general election.
Local Races
The only contested local primary election this season is in Merchantville, where ninth-column candidate Maria Nina Scarpa of the “Democrats Aligned for Change” slogan is challenging council incumbent Democrats John Grasso and Daniel Sperrazza. There are no Republicans on the primary ballot.
This fall, only those municipal elections in Audubon Park, Haddon Heights, and Pennsauken will be contested on the ballot.
- In Audubon Park, incumbent Republican Mayor Larry Pennock will face Democratic challenger Lisa Capilli this fall.
- Haddon Heights Republicans Jennifer Moore and David Mosko will face Democrats Asiyah Kurtz and Christopher Morgan for two open seats on the local council.
- In Pennsauken, Democrats Jessica Rafeh and Marco Di Battista will face Republicans Sabrina Winkler and Lisa Eckel for two open seats on the township committee.
Absent challengers on the Republican ticket, Merchantville’s incumbent Mayor Ted Brennan likely will retain his office in November, as will Oaklyn council members Greg Brandley and Chris Walters.
Voter Information
Scroll down for links to your local sample ballot and a list of polling places, which are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. statewide on Tuesday, June 5. After you vote, come back and check with NJ Pen for the results as they come in.
- Not sure which is your polling place? Use this finder to search by address.
- Not sure if you’re registered to vote? This tool can help you determine if you’re ready to head to the booth.
- If there is a polling place problem, or you have any questions, call the Board of Elections at 856-401-8683.
- Are you a first-time voter? Here’s a video from the League of Women voters about what to expect.
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