Without county-line ballots, how will endorsements impact NJ's race for governor?

Yahoo

20-02-2025

While there are still more than 100 days until the recently rescheduled June primary, that hasn't stopped contenders of both parties from raking in endorsements from elected officials, county parties and advocacy organizations throughout the state.
It remains to be seen exactly what, if any, impact those endorsements will have on the primary now that a new ballot without the traditional county line design will be used throughout the state.
The line traditionally gave candidates endorsed by the county party preferred ballot placement, and an edge in their efforts, but it was dismantled by a federal judge last year.
This will be New Jersey's first primary without the line.
Wednesday afternoon was no exception as the League of Conservation Voters held an event to announce their support for Rep. Mikie Sherrill in the Democratic primary on June 10.
Ed Potosnak, executive director of the organization, said endorsements from nonpartisan groups like LCV are more important than ever.
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'Traditionally in New Jersey, politicians have spent more time courting folks that are like them than reaching outside their comfort zone,' he said before explaining that his organization has members from all political parties so their endorsement is focused on policy and not politics.
'We're thrilled to stand with Mikie Sherrill in this race and also look forward to her work as governor to build a greener state, a more prosperous state that's cleaner for future generations,' Potosnak said.
Potosnak went on to say the League of Conservation Voters would 'investing heavily in this race' because the 'stakes could not be higher for New Jersey families.'
This endorsement is important to Sherrill because she said it will help 'move people into a cleaner environment.'
'We need to do better if we are truly going to meet the needs of New Jersey and meet the needs of the people here,' she said. 'I deeply believe that the state that solves the power problems of the future will be the most innovative state in the nation."
There are 10 candidates — six Democrats and four Republicans — currently vying to represent their respective parties in November's general election. There is only one that has not received any endorsements.
Though the line doesn't exist anymore, that hasn't stop county committees from holding their annual conventions where in some cases endorsements are voted on while in others the endorsements are simply announced after behind the scenes discussions.
Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop is not participating in the county conventions. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka spoke out against the latter version earlier this week though he will continue to participate.
Former state Sen. Ed Durr has not publicized any endorsements but the other nine candidates have announced endorsements including the following:
Ras Baraka
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman
Rep. LaMonica McIver
Various county and local elected officials
Dozens of religious leaders
Piscataway Progressive Democratic Organization
Steve Fulop
Nine current and former state lawmakers
Dozens of county and local elected officials
Josh Gottheimer
Eight state lawmakers
One county chair
Dozens of county and local elected officials
Eight congressmembers from outside New Jersey
Mikie Sherrill
Former Gov. Jon Corzine
Six state lawmakers
One county chair
Dozens of county and local elected officials
State firefighters union
EMILYs List
Four congressmembers from outside New Jersey
Sean Spiller
One former state lawmaker
New Jersey Education Association (where he serves as president)
Steve Sweeney
Rep. Donald Norcross
Rep. Herb Conaway
Five county chairs
20 current and former state lawmakers
Dozens of county and local elected officials
Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters
International Longshoremen's Association
International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 30
Jon Bramnick
Two former congressmembers
One county chair
Three state lawmakers
13 county and local elected officials
Jack Ciattarelli
Seven current and former state lawmakers
Two county chairs
Dozens of county and local elected officials
Bill Spadea
One former congressmember
One county chair
Four current and former state lawmakers
National Right to Life and New Jersey Right to Life
Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: [e-mail]
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ governor race 2025: Will no county line affect endorsements?