NJ Spotlight is sharing election coverage with NJTV News, our sister organization, which invited all candidates to complete a brief survey and record a video message; we have included those for all the candidates who responded.

The 8th District encompasses 20 communities in Atlantic, Burlington and Camden counties: Berlin Borough, Eastampton, Evesham, Hainesport, Hammonton, Lumberton, Mansfield, Medford, Medford Lakes, Mount Holly, Pemberton Borough, Pemberton Township, Pine Hill, Pine Valley, Shamong, Southampton, Springfield, Waterford, Westampton and Woodland.

A majority of those registered are not affiliated with a party. Those who have chosen a party skew the district slightly Democratic — 32% versus 28% Republican. Still, this was a red district until earlier this year, when Sen. Dawn Marie Addiego switched parties and became a Democrat. Now, it’s a split district.

There were contested primaries in both parties. The winners of those contests and one independent are all vying for the two Assembly seats.

Republican Assemblyman Ryan Peters of Hainesport is running with Jean Stanfield of Westampton. Stanfield defeated incumbent Joe Howarth last June after he lost the backing of the party.

The Democrats are Gina LaPlaca of Lumberton, running with Mark Natale of Marlton.

Tom Giangiulio Jr. of Waterford is the independent, running under the slogan MAGA Conservative.

ASSEMBLY CANDIDATES

RYAN PETERS: REPUBLICAN  (incumbent)

Hometown: Hainesport

Occupation: Director, Holman Enterprises

Top three issues: Reducing state and local taxes to make New Jersey more affordable; restoring millions in school aid to South Jersey;  repealing the Murphy administration’s immigrant trust directive

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JEAN STANFIELD: REPUBLICAN

Hometown: Westampton,

Occupation: Retired Burlington County Sheriff

Top three issues: Capping property taxes and lowering state taxes; fighting to restore millions in school aid to South Jersey districts; repealing the Murphy administration’s immigrant trust directive

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MARK NATALE: DEMOCRAT

Hometown: Marlton,

Occupation: Trial attorney, employment law

Top three issues: School funding; property-tax relief; infrastructure

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GINA LaPLACA: DEMOCRAT

Hometown: Lumberton

Occupation: Attorney/government affairs professional

Top three issues: School funding; property-tax relief; infrastructure

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TOM GIANGIULIO JR: INDEPENDENT (MAGA Conservative)

Hometown: Waterford

Contact this candidate via email at glenex@aol.com.