NJ Voters Guide: 39th Legislative District
New Jersey’s 39th Legislative District lies in the northeast corner of the state. It covers part of Bergen County: Allendale, Alpine, Closter, Cresskill, Demarest, Dumont, Emerson, Harrington Park, Haworth, Hillsdale, Ho-Ho-Kus, Mahwah, Midland Park, Montvale, Northvale, Norwood, Oakland, Old Tappan, Park Ridge, Ramsey, River Vale, Rockleigh, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, Waldwick, Washington, Westwood and Woodcliff Lake.
This is a red district, although the split between registered Democrats and Republicans is roughly equal at about 31%. Almost 39% of the district’s registrants are unaffiliated and appear to lean Republican.
There are challenges in both the Democratic and Republican primaries.
Assembly incumbents Robert Auth, head of a travel and insurance firm, and John Azzariti, an anesthesiologist, survived a primary challenge and are both seeking reelection.
The Democrats also had a contested primary, with small business owner Donna Abene of Woodcliff Lake and Andrew LaBruno, the former mayor of Dumont, emerging victorious.
Editor’s note: All candidates were contacted multiple times for the NJ Decides 2025 voting guide Q&As. Click on a candidate to see any answers provided.
The candidates
The candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Age: 68 Hometown: Woodcliff Lake Occupation: Small Business Owner Personal or professional background: Thank you for this opportunity to answer these questions. My husband and I have two grown children and own a small accounting business. I served 10 years on the WCL Board of Ed and three years on council. I am the chairperson of BC Community Development, a trustee on the Bergen New Bridge Medical Center Foundation, a trustee on the Commission on the Status Of Women (COSW), and a founding member of WEDO ( Women Empowered Democratic Org.) I also serve as Treasurer for The Run for Hope Foundation. I know the “ins and outs” my Legislative District and County from so many different aspects. What is your top issue this year? Democracy. Democracy. Democracy. We are living in strange times and everyone must work together to preserve our way of life. We are in danger of losing our Democracy as we barrel head-long in being an Oligarchy. Everyone I speak to is frightened. Everyone’s way of life is threatened. This is not hyperbole. What are your specific proposals for making New Jersey more affordable? To me the most obvious involves what is one of the things most dear to New Jerseyans–that is home rule. We have 565 municipalities in NJ and each of us are proud of and cling to our hometowns. But we have to start to consolidate services. We no longer have the luxury of 565 Super. of Schools or 565 Police Chiefs. Some smaller towns have to start taking a hard look at shared services: DPW, Recycling, local courts, etc. Do you support the state law designed to increase the amount of affordable housing and if not, how would you make housing less costly for residents? All lives have always been centered around the home, be it a campfire, a one-bedroom apartment or a mansion. Without stable, affordable housing our everyday lives are uncertain and it is impossible to perform to our potential–it is also inhumane. I am a strong proponent of affordable housing; It is our responsibility. How would you manage potential federal funding cuts to social services, health care, education, and other areas, particularly in light of the state’s budget challenges? As a member of BNBMC foundation board, and the Chairperson of Bergen County Community Development I see these, and other organizations I am or have been (BOE) a part of, scrambling to find ways to make up the shortfalls. It is not a question that can be answered in 100 words, or 10,000 words. Managing these cuts will take a concerted effort of professionals, elected officials, community members and volunteers. Although the task might seems monumental, I trust in collaborative work and believe we will find ways to serve the needy among us and keep our schools strong. I look forward to being part of the process.
The candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Age: 43 Hometown: Dumont Occupation: Police Sergeant Personal or professional background: Former Dumont Mayor Andrew LaBruno (LD39) has spent the past decade revitalizing his community and championing public safety. Elected to Borough Council in 2018 and Mayor in 2020, he also serves as a Police Sergeant in Jersey City and formerly led the Jersey City Police Superior Officers Association as Union President. A devoted husband, father, and longtime Dumont resident, LaBruno founded the Dumont Community Group, organizing events like the Dumont 5K and Movies in the Park. With a strong background in law enforcement and community leadership, he’s committed to hands-on service and delivering real results for the people of District 39. What is your top issue this year? Affordability is the top issue for New Jersey families, seniors, and young professionals alike. Property taxes remain among the highest in the nation, and rising costs for housing, healthcare, and everyday necessities are pushing residents to the brink—or out of the state entirely. What are your specific proposals for making New Jersey more affordable? Solutions to make NJ more affordable should focus on but not limited to: -Expanding and streamlining grant funding for municipal infrastructure, capital improvements, public safety equipment, personnel, and more—to reduce local tax burdens. -Conducting a comprehensive audit of all state departments to identify wasteful spending, failed initiatives, and eliminate costly political pet projects. -Encouraging and incentivizing shared services and consolidation among local governments where practical and cost-effective. New Jersey needs responsible leadership focused on cutting waste, improving efficiency, and delivering meaningful savings for residents and communities across the state. Do you support the state law designed to increase the amount of affordable housing and if not, how would you make housing less costly for residents? New Jersey’s current affordable housing structure is both unsustainable for many suburban municipalities. Most small towns lack the open, developable land and infrastructure needed to support large-scale housing developments. Yet the state continues to impose unfunded mandates that place undue strain on these communities. While affordable housing is vital, legislators must rethink the system—shifting the burden away from towns that simply cannot absorb it, incentivizing development and funding infrastructure where it’s feasible, and restructuring how housing is allocated. When small municipalities build affordable units, priority access should be given to residents from their community and surrounding region to preserve local stability. How would you manage potential federal funding cuts to social services, health care, education, and other areas, particularly in light of the state’s budget challenges? Managing potential federal funding cuts requires a proactive, strategic approach focused on protecting essential services while maximizing efficiency. First, the state must conduct a thorough audit of existing programs to eliminate waste and redirect funds to high-priority areas like healthcare, education, and social services. We must also strengthen public-private partnerships and pursue alternative funding sources, including grants and innovation-driven initiatives. Additionally, working collaboratively with local governments to expand shared services and consolidate where appropriate can stretch limited resources.
