Latest news with #primaryelection
CBS News
10 hours ago
- Business
- CBS News
At diners across N.J., voters sound off on gubernatorial primary election. What's on their minds is consistent.
At diners across New Jersey, voters sound off on primary races At diners across New Jersey, voters sound off on primary races At diners across New Jersey, voters sound off on primary races Early voting begins Wednesday in New Jersey's primary election. Eleven candidates are running for governor, including six Democrats and five Republicans. The two winners will face off against each other in the November election. An Emerson University poll finds that the economy remains the top issue for voters at 45%, followed by housing affordability at 12%, threats to democracy with 11% and immigration policy at 9%. In order to vote in New Jersey's primary, you have to be registered as a Republican or Democrat. CBS News New York visited three diners in three counties across the state to ask voters about the issues important to them. What we found was quite consistent -- affordability in the Garden State was top of mind. First stop, Bergen County At the Candlewyck Diner in East Rutherford, Max Zaccone said the most important issue to him is the economy. "We're feeling the squeeze, you know, and we need somebody that's going to lower the gas prices, try to lower some of these food prices, because there's a lot of struggling Americans," Zaccone said. "I feel that we need somebody that is for the people and not for the agenda, somebody that's basically going to take both the Republican and Democratic side." Zaccone said his choice is Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican candidate endorsed by President Trump. Ciattarelli is the leading GOP contender in several polls, including the Emerson College poll previously mentioned. Simon Santa Maria, a member of Gen Z, said protecting immigrants and the environment is high on his list, and he's leaning toward progressive Democrat Ras Baraka, Newark's mayor. Baraka gained the national spotlight after he was arrested while trying to see the conditions at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Newark. "He's obviously very adamant about protecting immigrants," Santa Maria said. "He's done a lot of things for the environment of Newark. He's planted a lot of trees. He's done a lot of things against, like. urbanization, the rapid urbanization, the gentrification that's affecting Newark." Myrna Kamel, 25, said she doesn't know much about the candidates, including Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who is leading Democrats in that same Emerson College poll. However, Kamel said the state's high property taxes are preventing her generation from becoming homeowners. "I find New Jersey a little bit hard to live in, just given the fact that, you know, it's very hard to buy a home in our generation now. And then the property taxes are another problem that we, you know, if you can afford a mortgage, you can't afford the taxes on the home, and so on and so forth," Kamel said. The owner of the Candlewyck Diner said what he is concerned about is New Jersey's business climate. "My concerns as a business owner, I think the last eight years ... everything that New Jersey has done from the pandemic, even before that, has been anti-small business," Emanuel Logothetis said. "It's almost like they have us in a chokehold at times and we're on our own left to fight by ourselves." Gov. Phil Murphy is a Democrat, and his party has controlled the state Legislature for decades. Voter Tom Drexler had a message for them. "I think the Democratic Party has to figure out what they're really standing for in such a way that they can show the public what they are about now, because I think there are some questions about that given how things have moved politically since the last election cycle," Drexler said. Second stop, Morris County At the Roxbury Diner in Succasunna, voters were not holding back. "Anybody but a Republican because Republicans do not care about people," Brian Malcolm of Mount Olive Township said. Malcolm said he's worried about benefits he's paid into for 45 years. "Potentially the loss of benefits -- Social Security, Medicare," he said. "According to the Congressional Budget Office, it's going to pull $550 billion from Medicaid … That's going kick about 8 million people off health care altogether." "I voted for Trump, and I won't feel bad about that or deny it to anybody," Lisa Dolan of Stanhope said. So does a candidate stand out to her? "No, because the things that are important to me, nobody's fixed," Dolan said. "I think that the property taxes are very high here. It's forcing a lot of people out." At the Roxbury Diner, where so many people have been affected by the I-80 sinkhole, we found that voters are more concerned about the economy and affordability. "Other than the things that are going on currently in New Jersey, the airport, the 80 sinkhole, because I have children, I have boys, I have millennials … it's property … property taxes, being able to buy things," Dover resident Paris McDaniel said. McDaniel said she's disillusioned by both Republicans and Democrats that she holds responsible for residents fleeing the state. "We love New Jersey. We don't want to leave New Jersey. People have to migrate to the South to be able to afford a home and to get a yard and bring up their children," McDaniel said. "On the Republican side, I'd like someone that can actually distance themselves as the clear winner," Succasunna resident Steve Alford said. He's betting on Ciattarelli. Third stop, Monmouth County Political experts say while big counties like Bergen are crucial in the primaries, the southern part of the state that's been leaning red in some districts is just as important. Voters spoke out at the New Monmouth Diner in Middletown. "Property taxes are always at the forefront, especially living in New Jersey. We are one of the highest taxed in this country," Middletown resident Jim Davis said. Davis also said crime is a big issue for him in the primary election, and suggested Democrats haven't done enough to make the streets safe. "Bail reform, when someone commits a crime, and they pay a couple hundred in cash and they're back on the street, that's a problem," Davis said. Some senior citizens said another big problem is it is getting too expensive to live in New Jersey. "I really don't believe that the seniors should have to pay full price for school taxes. We put all our children through school," one resident named Judy said. "Now we are paying for everybody else." "School choice would be on my list and the voucher system … maybe consolidation." Union Beach resident Glenn Cottrell said. Affordability was not just a big issue with older voters, but younger ones as well. "You pay to go to school and now you are strapped with student loans. You can't get a job and to pay back those student loans and you can never move out and you can't pay for your groceries," Hazlet resident Sheri O'Hea said. "I would like Democrats to lean more left," Hackensack resident Alexa Zamora said. Zamora said she's leaning toward Baraka, and is convinced he'll tackle high housing costs as well. "My fiancé and I have like what would be considered a good job and we can't afford anything between interest rates, tax, property taxes," Zamora said. "Houses that were probably a starter home are now million dollar homes." At the New Monmouth Diner, many Republicans told CBS News New York off camera it's a choice between Ciattarelli and Bill Spadea for them. Political experts say voters in Monmouth County and those in southern towns could be the ones who determine the winner of the Republican primary.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
2025 NJ primary election: Here's a list of all contested races in North Jersey
The focus on the June 10 primary will be the gubernatorial election, but there are lots of local contested races in Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Morris counties. This is New Jersey's first primary where all 21 counties will use a black ballot design for both parties instead of the "county-line." The line traditionally gave candidates who were endorsed by the county party a preferred ballot placement, but it was dismantled by a federal judge last year. As of May 1, New Jersey had 6,565,285 total registered voters, which includes 2,449,526 Democrats and 1,621,669 Republicans. More than 691,000 vote-by-mail ballots were sent out across the state and about 234,000 have been returned, according to state officials. Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked by June 10. One of the top contested local primary races to watch is that of the Bergen County commissioners. The contested Democratic primary will see former Palisades Park Mayor Chris Chung, former Bergen County Democratic Organization state Senate candidate John Vitale and former Closter Councilwoman Dolores Witko face off against incumbents and party-endorsed candidates Democratic Commissioners Tom Sullivan, Mary Amoroso and Germaine Ortiz. Other top local races to watch include the Rutherford Council, where six Democratic candidates are running for two seats, and Cresskill, where a two-year unexpired mayor term is up for grabs after Mayor Benedict Romeo, who had been in the post since 1999, died in February. The most-watched primary race in Morris County is in its largest town of Parsippany, where incumbent Mayor James Barberio is in a bitter primary battle with Councilman Justin Musella. Musella's exit from the council to run for mayor opens a second seat on the council. Barberio's ticket includes incumbent Councilman Frank Neglia and Jigar Shah. Musella is running with Casey Parikh and John Bielen. Story continues below photo gallery. The Democratic candidates for governor are Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller and former state Senate President Steve Sweeney. The Republican candidates for governor are state Sen. Jon Bramnick, former Assemblyman and previous nominee Jack Ciattarelli (endorsed by President Donald Trump) and former radio personality Bill Spadea. Two other Republican candidates, former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac and Justin Barbera, are also on the June 10 primary ballot but did not meet various qualifications to participate in debates this spring. The following are all contested races listed by county and party. An asterisk denotes incumbents. Members of the Bergen County Board of Commissioners (Vote for three three-year seats) Bergen County Democrats for Change Chris Chung John Vitale Dolores Witko Democratic Committee of Bergen County Thomas J. Sullivan * Mary Amoroso * Germaine M. Ortiz * CRESSKILL Mayor (Unexpired two-year term) Skyler Cohen —Better spending. Better schools. Better Cresskill Leslie Kaplan — Democratic Committee of Bergen County GLEN ROCK Borough Council (Vote for two three-year terms) Jonathan Hendl – Putting Residents First Seth M. Rosenstein* – Glen Rock Democrats for Council Rachel C. Madley – Glen Rock Democrats for Council MOONACHIE Borough Council (Vote for two three-year terms) Robert J. Bauer Sr. – Democratic Committee of Bergen County James D. Campbell – Democratic Committee of Bergen County Giovanni A. Brattoli – Your Voice, Our Future! RIDGEFIELD Borough Council (Vote for two three-year terms) Joanna Congalton-Hali* – Democratic Committee of Bergen County James V. Kontolios* – Democratic Committee of Bergen County Andrew J. Borek – People Who Love Ridgefield RUTHERFORD Borough Council (Vote for two three-year terms) Edward C. Narucki – Eddie – Alt Indie Democrat Douglas J. Hoffman – Rutherforward Richard H. Hussey – Rutherforward Christie Delrey-Cone* – Democratic Committee of Bergen County Dennis F. Mazone – Democratic Committee of Bergen County Susan E. Quatrone* – Democratic Councilwoman Serving Rutherford FRANKLIN LAKES Borough Council (Vote for two three-year terms) Joseph S. Conte – Trusted. Responsible. Dedicated Joseph L. Rosano – Trusted. Responsible. Dedicated Joel D. Ansh* – Bergen County Republican Endorsed Candidates Michael A. Kazimir – Bergen County Republican Endorsed Candidates HILLSDALE Borough Council - (Vote for two three-year terms) Anthony J. DeRosa – Hillsdale Republicans Louis A. Casale – Bergen County Republican Endorsed Candidates Stephen B. Riordan – Bergen County Republican Endorsed Candidates WALDWICK Borough Council (Vote for two three-year terms) Nadia M. Luppino – Bergen County Republican Endorsed Candidates Charles F. Asta – Bergen County Republican Endorsed Candidates Michele S. Weber* – Bergen County Republicans Mark J. Ramundo* – Bergen County Republicans BLOOMFIELD Running for the Democratic nomination for three three-year terms on the Township Council serving at-large: Jill Fischman Satenik Margaryan Monica Charris-Tabares* Tracy Toler-Phillips Widney Polynice* MILLBURN Running for the democratic nomination for two three-year terms on the Township Committee serving at-large: Michael Cohen* Jeffrey Feld Annette Romano* WANAQUE Running for the Republican nomination for two, three-year terms on the Borough Council: Dominick Cortellessa* - Passaic County Regular Republican Organization Inc. Angela Demetriou - Community: Stronger Together Edward Leonard* - Passaic County Regular Republican Organization Inc WAYNE Running for the Democratic nomination for one, four-year term as township mayor: James R. Freeswick - Democrat Donald Robert Pavlak Jr. - Passaic County Democratic Organization Endorsed Candidate DOVER COUNCIL (Democrat) Ward 1 (Vote for one four-year term: Claudia Toro* Daniele Mendez Ward 2 (Vote for one four-year term): Sergio Rodriguez Judy Rugg Ward 3 (Vote for one four-year term): Michael Scarneo Christopher Almada MENDHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (Republican) (Vote for two three-year terms): Robert Mason Bruce LaFera* Neil Sullivan MONTVILLE COMMITTEE (Republican) (Vote for two three-year terms): Daria Senaldi Chris Fano Thomas Mazzaccaro James Sandham Jr. PARSIPPANY (Republican): Mayor (Vote for one four-year term): James Barberio* Justin Musella Council (Vote for two four-year terms): Frank Neglia Jigar Shah Casey Parikh John Bielen ROCKAWAY BOROUGH (Republican): Council (Vote for two three-year terms: Robert DeVito Andrew Agliata* Thomas Slockbower* ROCKAWAY TWP. COMMITTEE (Republican): Ward 6 (Vote for one four-year term): Rachael Brookes* Tucker Kelley WASHINGTON COMMITTEE (Republican) (Vote for two three-year terms): Michael Marino* Michael Starr Lawrence Bajek Early in-person voting for the June 10 primary election will begin on June 3. Registered voters can begin to cast their votes on that day in their county's select early voting locations. They will be asked to vote for their party's gubernatorial candidate as well as local, state and federal races. This article originally appeared on 2025 NJ primary election: North Jersey contested races
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lackawanna County voter turnout in primary election lowest in years
Lackawanna County's voter turnout of 24.12% in Tuesday's primary election was the lowest in at least 16 years, according to unofficial results. The ballots not having any high-profile federal or state races, or contested county races, as well as an overall lack of competitive municipal races, likely were factors contributing to the low turnout, some observers said. As voting ensued throughout Tuesday's election, poll workers around the county remarked about how turnout was thin, Lackawanna County Director of Elections Beth Hopkins said Wednesday. 'They were reporting a very, very slow day at the polls,' Hopkins said. For comparison, the countywide turnout in recent similar municipal primaries included: 2009: 37.09% 2011: 36.71% 2013: 32.77% 2015: 34.13% 2017: 31.41% 2019: 30.47% 2021: 37.16% 2023: 29.71% 2025: 24.12% Voter turnout tends to be higher in midterm and presidential election years. 'People, for some reason, don't feel it's important to get out in a primary like this. To me, it's kind of disgusting,' county Republican Party Chairman Dan Naylor said. 'I think we should take every election so very seriously. Twenty-four percent of the people are deciding who's going to be our candidate in the fall, and that's not what you like to see.' While Scranton had contested races in the primary for mayor, city council and school board, the citywide voter turnout was only 24.23%, or only slightly higher than the countywide turnout. 'There wasn't a lot of interest in the ballot, but this (very low turnout) kind of blows my mind,' county Democratic Party Chairman Chris Patrick said. 'These are the mayor and councils, the school boards. These are the people that raise the taxes in your towns. They make all the decisions.' With the electorate deeply divided, both nationally and in the state, voters generally just may be exhausted, he said. 'It seems like people don't want to come out and care,' Patrick said. In Lackawanna County, where Democrats outnumber Republicans, the Democratic voter turnout in Tuesday's primary was 33.36%, while Republican turnout was 19.36%. 'I never see a big Republican turnout when Donald Trump is not on the ballot,' Patrick said.
CBS News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Pittsburgh's mayoral race headlines primary Election Day in western Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh's hotly-contested mayoral race is in the spotlight as western Pennsylvanians head to the polls to cast their vote in the primary election. In Pittsburgh, incumbent Mayor Ed Gainey and challenger Allegheny County Controller Corey O'Connor are seeking to win the Democratic nomination. Former police officer Tony Moreno and businessman Thomas West are seeking the Republican nomination. The parties' nominees will face off in November. Polls open in Pennsylvania's primary Polls opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday for Pennsylvania's primary election. Off the bat, Allegheny County reported a "smattering" of issues like power outages, equipment issues and closed buildings that prevented some polling locations from opening on time. By 9:30 a.m., a county spokesperson said everything was resolved. Mt. Rise Baptist Church, a polling place in the Homestead area, was closed a little before noon "out of an abundance of caution" after the judge of elections smelled natural gas, the county said. Voters will be redirected to Holy Angels Church, about 6 minutes away. All 1,327 polling places in Allegheny County will be open until 8 p.m. The County Office Building is accepting mail-in ballots until 8 p.m. at the Ross Street entrance. Pittsburgh's Democratic mayoral candidates cast ballots Ed Gainey is at the end of his first term. He was elected Pittsburgh's first Black mayor after ousting Bill Peduto in the last mayoral primary. Now he's pushing to keep his role as the city's leader. "Building a city for all, you know, delivering affordable housing, 1,600, reducing the homicide rate in the city, the NFL Draft coming here, $600 million for Downtown. We continue to do what we say we're gonna do, and that's build a city where everybody feels seen, and where everybody feels accepted. So we're very excited about this," Gainey said. Corey O'Connor, Gainey's challenger, is the Allegheny County controller. He's looking to fill the role once held by his late father Bob O'Connor. "We have a choice in front of us today. We can take our city in a different direction where we're more transparent, we talk about growth and opportunity in all areas. And, you know, standing here with my family, I think, for me, Pittsburgh should be every family's first choice," O'Connor said. GOP candidates vote in Pittsburgh's mayoral race Tony Moreno is a retired Pittsburgh police officer who ran against Gainey in 2021. "We're talking about the same exact issues we were talking about four years ago, and we demanded change four years ago, and we got more of the same on steroids. That's why I'm here," he said. Thomas West, a businessman who owns the men's retail boutique Trim in Lawrenceville, campaigned on the promise that he'd bring fresh leadership to the city. "I'm just going to be me. I have a message out there about how to make the city better and how to make us live up to our full potential, so if I become the Republican nominee, that'd be great. And in November, if I win, let's get the party rolling. I love it," West said.
CBS News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Pennsylvania primary Election Day 2025 guide: how to find your polling place, see who's on the ballot
Voters will head to the polls across Pennsylvania Tuesday in the commonwealth's primary election. Statewide, there are judges running for seats on the Commonwealth Court and Superior Court, while in Philadelphia, Democrats will have two choices for District Attorney: incumbent Larry Krasner and challenger Pat Dugan. In some locales, today's races could include mayors, town councilmembers, judgeships on the Court of Common Pleas or school board positions. There may also be ballot questions you can vote on. Keep scrolling for more on the May 20 primary. When do polls open and when do polls close in Pennsylvania? Polls are now open in Pennsylvania, having opened at 7 a.m. Polls close at 8 p.m. Anyone in line by 8 p.m. will be allowed to cast their ballot. If you're filling out a mail ballot and haven't returned it yet, your ballot must be received by your county election office by 8 p.m. At this point, your best option is to drop it off at a designated ballot return location in your county. Postmarks are not enough. Who is on the ballot in the 2025 primary? Remember that Pennsylvania is a closed primary state, meaning voters can only choose candidates for the party to which they are registered. Independents' ballots will be limited to nonpartisan positions (if applicable) or ballot questions. To see who is on your ballot in the 2025 primary election, your best bet is to head to your county election office's website and look for more information. You should be able to find PDFs of your party's sample ballots there. Here are a few links to save you some time finding sample ballots: Where is my polling place to vote in Pennsylvania? Assuming you're registered to vote — you can check that status at this link — you can head to your polling place and vote in person. If you enter your address on this site from the Pennsylvania Department of State, it will provide you with your polling place and, if applicable, a ward and division number. If you live in a city, your polling place might service multiple wards and divisions. When you show up, make sure you find the area where your ward and division vote. Where do I hand-deliver my voted mail-in ballot? Drop it off at a county election office. Find out if your county has a drop box. If so, deliver a voted ballot there. Find out if your county has a satellite election office where you can drop off a ballot. How can I track my mail-in ballot? Pennsylvania voters can track the status of their mail-in or absentee ballot online.
