Embattled Sussex commissioner won't seek GOP nod for re-election. Who else is running?
The candidate list that followed last month's filing deadline was also notable for a high-profile omission: County Commissioner William Hayden, under fire for two years for allegedly fabricating his military record, will not appear on the Republican primary ballot.
Hayden, first elected in 2022, was not endorsed by the county Republican committee and failed to get enough signatures to run in the primary, he told the New Jersey Herald.
In a text message Tuesday, Hayden said he may nonetheless mount a campaign to stay on the county board. "I have been asked to run again," he said, adding that he hasn't decided "whether it be as a write-in candidate, or as an independent. But I have people that asked me to and are willing to fund me."
Hayden, one of five members of the all-Republican board, has faced calls to resign ever since accusations surfaced that he falsely claimed in his campaign to be a wounded veteran who served in the Navy SEALs. In some retellings, he allegedly claimed to have been injured in action against a drug cartel in Africa..
The Frankford resident has denied any wrongdoing, but in February 2024, he was formally censured by the rest of the board. That censure cited his allegations, which have proven to be false, that there was money missing from the accounts of the county's Food Pantry.
Last May, a former donor to Hayden's campaign filed a complaint with the New Jersey State Police, alleging the Republican violated the state's Stolen Valor Act, which makes it illegal to benefit financially from false claims of a military record.
Separately, U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat whose district includes most of Sussex County, wrote to the state Attorney General last April asking for an investigation into whether Hayden violated New Jersey tax laws by claiming a veteran's exemption.
Both the AG's Office and State Police have declined to comment on any possible investigation.
Hayden's three-year term ends in December.
A defamation lawsuit filed by Hayden against Sussex County Democratic leaders was dismissed a year ago after he missed a court filing deadline. He also filed a notice of claim last year accusing several Republican officials of slandering him, but the threatened lawsuit was never filed.
In the primary for county commissioner, there are two nominations open. Instead of her former running mate Hayden, Commissioner Jill Space is running on the Republican line with David J. Silverthorne, a member of the Frankford Township Committee who currently serves as mayor.
Philip DeStefano was the only Democrat to file for commissioner.
Sheriff Michael Strada is running unopposed for re-election as a Republican, with no declared candidate on the Democratic side.
In Stanhope, long-time council member Diana Kuncken and fellow councilman Scott Wachterhauser are being challenged for the Republican line by Najib Iftikhar, an assistant business professor at the County College of Morris.
Wachterhauser was appointed to fill an unexpired term in April 2023 and elected that November to serve the remainder of the term.
Daniel Smith is running for the Democrat line for Stanhope council, where two seats will be on the ballott.
In Ogdensburg, there is a four-way race for a pair of Republican nominations for two borough council seats.
Running are Incumbents Brenda Cowdrick and Caren Ruitenberg. They are being challenged by Kristopher Gordon and Michael Nardini.
Just two Democrats − Smith and DeStefano − have filed to run in the 21 county and municipal races this year, though others could attempt to mount write-in campaigns.
In addition to those races, there will also be primaries for governor and General Assembly races, which are held in odd-numbered years. Federal elections are held in even numbered years.
The statewide Democratic primary will include six candidates for governor, with five on the Republican side. Incumbent Phil Murphy is term-limited from running again.
More: Sussex County unveils $126.7 million budget, with $500 boost for volunteer firefighters
Gottheimer, D-5 and Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-11 are joined on the Democrat ballot by former state Senate President Steve Sweeney, New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop.
On the Republican side, the candidates are former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, State Senator Jon Bramnick, radio host Bill Spadea, former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac, and contractor Justin Barbera.
The other state race in Sussex County includes two Democrats and two Republicans running for two seats for the 24th Assembly District, which includes all of Sussex and parts of Morris and Warren counties, With no primary competition, all four will be on the November ballot.
The two Republican candidates are incumbent Assembly members Dawn Fantasia of Franklin and Michael Inganamort of Chester borough in Morris County. The two Democrats are Steve Barratt and Eugene Grinberg, both of Long Valley in Morris County.
Candidates not currently on the primary ballot may also attempt a write-in campaign, according to the county clerk's office.
To win a spot on the November ballot, a write-in candidate must get at least as many votes as the number of signatures required to file a nominating petition for that position.
The requirements for petition signatures and successful write-ins vary by the office being sought, meaning write-ins necessary for a county-wide post would be more than for town-level positions. Countywide write-in votes for Assembly and gubernatorial candidates would be added to the district or statewide write-ins needed.
Email: bscruton@njherald.com Twitter/X: @brucescrutonNJH
This article originally appeared on New Jersey Herald: Under fire, Sussex County commissioner won't seek GOP nod in NJ primary
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