Age: 73

Hometown: Englewood

Occupation: Independent consultant

Personal background: My life has centered around Englewood. I grew up in Englewood, was a police officer there for 24 years, and raised my family there. My office is located in Englewood, and I still live there. I was also the Bergen County sheriff and an undersheriff for six years. I retired as a major from the US Army Reserves, having served in Desert Storm and Operation Joint Endeavor. I attended St. Thomas Aquinas College for my undergraduate studies and Seton Hall University for a master’s degree, as well as the US Army Command and General Staff College.

Political background: I am a lifelong Democrat and believe strongly in the Democratic Party. I was elected to the Assembly in 2001 and the state Senate in 2021. I also served for a brief time on the Englewood City Council. In the Assembly, I was the speaker pro tempore for a few years, and I am now an assistant majority leader in the state Senate.

Why are you running for office? To continue my staunch advocacy for the people of the 37th Legislative District. I believe in the American dream and will work toward ensuring everyone has a quality public education, economic opportunity and a clean environment in which to thrive.

Key election issue: Transportation is at the top of my mind in this election. There are several transportation construction issues that need proper oversight. The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail has yet to reach Bergen County. New York is threatening us with congestion pricing. The Port Authority is moving forward on building a new bus terminal. Bridge rehabilitation projects are stressing local roads and residents.

Proper oversight of New Jersey Transit, the NJ Department of Transportation and the Port Authority is the solution. We were dealt a setback by the Federal Transportation Administration on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, so NJ Transit has to act quickly to write a new environmental impact statement. The Port Authority should begin construction on the bus terminal as soon as possible. We need strong advocates to ensure that these agencies prioritize these projects with staff time and resources, or face consequences.

Example of a successful project: I was the Bergen County sheriff during 9/11. After the initial attack, I took command of the George Washington Bridge and began securing it against further terrorist attacks. This allowed the Port Authority police to respond to Ground Zero and harden other targets in New York City. The region was bracing for the next wave of terrorist attacks or copycats that thankfully never came.

Example of a challenge faced: During Desert Storm, I ran two convoy support centers in the Saudi Arabian desert. Keeping the troops supplied despite the logistical challenges of operating in a foreign desert environment, with the supply chain stretching thousands of miles, was extraordinarily difficult. Soldiers’ lives depended on receiving an adequate supply of war-fighting materials. I rose to the challenge by relying on my military experience and training, which led to my being awarded a Bronze Star.

On NJ’s gun laws: I was a co-sponsor of the recent law and was disappointed in the court’s decision to strike down parts of it. It was carefully written to comply with the Bruen decision, and I hope New Jersey is successful in court so the law can fully take effect. I am proud of New Jersey’s strict gun laws, despite the changes required under the Bruen decision.

On the Murphy administration’s climate change proposals: I am a strong proponent of offshore wind, which has shown great promise in Europe. New Jersey is a leader on the issue, and the development of our wind port will serve as an economic engine as more states develop offshore wind projects. I would increase the emphasis on hydrogen fuel cells in both stationary and mobile uses. Hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity using hydrogen gas; the only output is clean water. For instance, California already has fuel-cell-powered cars.

On housing affordability and property taxes: We enacted the ANCHOR property tax rebate program, which gives homeowners and renters property tax relief. Building on this, StayNJ will provide enhanced property tax rebates to seniors, and the income limits for the Senior Freeze program were again lowered. The legislature also funded $15,000 in down payment assistance for first-time homeowners. I am proud of the $20 million in additional school aid that I brought back to District 37 school districts over the past two years, reducing the reliance on local property taxes.

Campaign website

Age: N/A

Hometown: Englewood

Occupation: Professor

Personal background: I cherish life and try to spend my time in impactful ways. As a career educator, I have invested 38 years as a public school teacher and a professor at a state public university that proudly serves many first-generation college students. I have a proven history as a leader, serving as union president and department chair at various points. I am a lot like most residents in Legislative District 37, as a divorced single mom of two adult children; a grandmother; a daughter; a sister; a full professor and prolific author; a homeowner; a person of deep faith; a breast cancer survivor, and a strong Republican woman.

Political background: Prior to changing my party affiliation to Republican in March 2013, I maintained a high profile as a Democrat, and I was elected to serve as Englewood Democratic municipal chair. During my tenure, I coordinated the political strategy that led to healthy pluralities of votes securing the elections of Barack Obama and the first African American Bergen County commissioner, Vernon Walton. Yet, when I left the Democratic Party, I never looked back. From the start of my BCRO affiliation, I became an active county committee member and took on several difficult races for the Republican Party, including Legislative District 37 Assembly in 2013, Congressional District 9 in 2014 and Englewood mayor in 2018. In 2022, I won the BCRO policy committee endorsement, the county convention and a tough, unnecessary primary to become one of three Bergen County commissioner candidates as well as the first Black woman to run for the slot from either major political party in Bergen County.

Why are you running for office? I thank Sen. Gordon Johnson for his distinguished military and law enforcement service. There would be no contest if that were the playing field. It’s not, however. Gordon Johnson has been in the legislature for 21 years. His legislative record is unimpressive and lackluster. I can’t name one consequential piece of legislation that he put forth (as prime sponsor) since being elected Legislative District 37 senator. There are many complaints about his lack of efficacy when it comes to constituent services, in addition to his generally poor advocacy for his district. And there have been consequences attached to his inattentiveness, especially for Englewood on the issue of affordable housing credit it should have received. Conversely, I have a proven track record of getting things done, and I want the opportunity to serve a district that’s been very good to me. I believe that I can deliver representation that is honest, transparent and responsive. That’s the reason that I decided to run for this office. That’s the chance I’m vying for.

Key election issue: As a former teacher and 30-year teacher educator, I find the Murphy administration’s fixation on minutiae mind-boggling. While focusing on pronouns and directing his attorney general to file lawsuits against boards of education over their transgender policies, the governor and many in the Democratic Party have taken their eye off the ball. They seem oblivious to the fact that New Jersey fourth graders are in a full-blown educational crisis. Every Garden State resident who cares about children and education should be in total panic mode. The Nation’s Report Card 2022 findings for New Jersey showed the sharpest declines for Black, Hispanic and poor students as well as males in literacy.

New Jersey received federal CARES Act funding for the purpose of helping its students recover from COVID-inspired learning loss that was plausibly exacerbated because some schools remained shut far longer than they should have or that was professionally sound. In a cursory review of school websites in my district, the Hackensack Public School District was the only one featuring a delineation of how that money was spent. Receiving an accounting of that grant spending for each Legislative District 37 school district is a top priority for me. Further, for those districts struggling with ways to address student learning loss as well as the visceral mental health issues of students returned to school with post-COVID shutdowns, I want my office to be of help in respect to the facilitation of those efforts.

Example of a successful project: When I arrived on my campus 30 years ago, faculty’s dependents and spouses were compelled to pay full tuition and board to attend the school their family member worked at. There were some college campuses throughout the state system that had board of trustees policies that offered tuition remission. But even they had to rely on the good will of the board in place at that particular moment. This seemed truly unfair to me. So, when I became union president, this was one of the first bargaining proposals my local put forth. I’m proud to say that tuition remission became a clause in our contract, and now many state college employees receive and enjoy that benefit.

Example of a challenge faced: I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, the day before Thanksgiving. This might sound odd, but cancer changed my perspective on every aspect of my life. It made me much more grateful to be alive and determined to live each day to the fullest. Prior to cancer, I never truly thought about dying or my legacy upon death. I had lots of time to think about both upon learning my diagnosis. In fact, death was no longer scary to think about. I now know that I want to die with my family, students and colleagues feeling that I was a blessing to them. In respect to my profession, I want my body of work to make a difference in the lives of others.

On NJ’s gun laws: I am a licensed, trained and responsible gun owner of multiple firearms. I want New Jersey to stop abrogating my Second Amendment rights at every turn.

On the Murphy administration’s climate change proposals: I do not!

On housing affordability and property taxes: I think that COAH needs a great deal of reform because presently there are many flaws that penalize municipalities that were ahead of the curve when it came to addressing affordable housing, like Englewood.

Age: 74

Hometown: Tenafly

Occupation: Legislator

Personal background: I was born and raised in Pakistan, where I went on to attend the University of Punjab. As a college student, I became very involved as an activist advocating for political representation and standing up against the military dictatorship of the time. In 1977, I moved to the US, where I married and settled down in the Borough of Tenafly. I focused my career on the nonprofit sector, helping to fundraise for the arts. Once I had my children, I became even more community-oriented, participating on municipal boards, commissions and parent teacher associations.

Political background: I was first introduced to the world of government and politics as a student in Pakistan. I considered myself quite the activist, often facing dangerous scenarios to speak up for what I believed in. After coming to Tenafly in Bergen County, I decided that in order to see the representation of those like myself and my children, I needed to step up. I chose to run for city council, winning election in 2001 and 2015. This allowed me to have a say in the processes of my borough while also serving to motivate others to run for office as well. I currently serve as the Tenafly Democratic municipal chairwoman as well. In 2021 I had the opportunity to run for the New Jersey Assembly, and I haven’t looked back since. I have the unique ability to represent women, immigrants and Muslims, which had yet to be done within the Legislature.

Why are you running for office? During my first term in the Assembly, it took a lot of effort to learn the ins and outs of how things work. This includes relationship-building, dos and don’ts, navigating the Statehouse, etc. Now that I have put in all of that work, I feel there is so much more I can contribute to New Jersey and to my constituents.

Key election issue: A key issue for me is water quality. Many people live under the assumption that because we are fortunate to live in a developed nation in 2023, we don’t face problems of water cleanliness and availability. In fact, citizens in the poorest areas in particular are subject to unhealthy drinking water on a daily basis. Whether it manifests through lead pipes or by PFAs contamination from nearby polluters, many individuals and families are forced to consume unhealthy drinking water. It is time to raise our standards and to properly regulate those responsible for these contaminants. On par with the issue of water quality is reliable transportation. Many residents have little to no access to adequate transportation. In addition, the options that do exist are often unreliable, leaving many stranded, late or without the option of public transit completely.

I spent my first term working on legislation to address PFAs. I partnered on a bill package aimed at proper identification of these forever chemicals as well as instituting proper regulations moving forward. As we progress, public awareness is key. If constituents are learning about lead in their service lines or contaminants in water they have been drinking, it is already too late. By disseminating information to the public on drinking water standards and tests, we can preventatively begin to address potential contaminants.

When it comes to transit, I have proposed instituting an on-demand shuttle program that would bring constituents to major transportation hubs. This would solve those first mile, last mile struggles for individuals who may not live close to their local public transit stops. Additionally, securing a dedicated source of funding for transit is critical to solving several transit-related issues across New Jersey.

Example of a successful project: I have successfully been an active local leader. From my time on the council to my current role as Democratic chair in Tenafly, I have made it my mission to remain connected to my neighbors and to speak out when it comes to the town I call home. Although I took on a new role as an Assembly member these last couple of years, I continue to work hard for my hometown as well.

Example of a challenge faced: Something that was particularly challenging to me over the past two years was learning how to adjust to the Assembly. There is no rule book on a lot of the tasks we undertake as lawmakers, and it was difficult to learn how everything worked. It was almost like learning a new language – nothing is familiar and everything is new. Through the help of great colleagues and great staff, I was able to learn quickly and truly grow into my role.

On NJ’s gun laws: I support gun control. So much of the gun violence we see is impacting our youth. I hope to see incremental change when it comes to strengthening such regulations. Protecting our communities from gun violence is critical, and I think New Jersey’s gun laws are working to accomplish that goal.

On the Murphy administration’s climate change proposals: A transition toward an electric New Jersey is imperative to not only fight climate change but to protect our residents and their quality of life. Along with bringing jobs to the Garden State, electrification will decrease carbon emissions drastically. Our state has some of the worst instances of pollution in this country. We maintain the most Superfund sites of any state, are plagued with smog from heavy traffic, and face problems associated with dense population areas. I support the administration’s efforts to combat climate change. However, I do not believe a mandate is the answer for such a transition. It is important that we don’t begin to view electrification as the problem, and forcing drastic and sudden changes on residents will do just that. Additionally, such rapid change will leave our businesses and families with increasing costs as they are forced to adapt.

On housing affordability and property taxes: Strengthening our local economies and supporting any policy that does so will assist New Jersey families as they look to buy or rent. I propose allocating more funding to local education, given a large portion of property tax goes toward education. This would remove the driving force behind a district’s need to increase local property taxes. Additionally, enacting shared services across municipalities would aid in tax relief. There is an issue of a lack of housing units, particularly affordable units and starter homes. I support state rental/homeownership programs such as ANCHOR and Senior Freeze. Such tax relief will go a long way in motivating families to move out of their starter homes while enabling our younger population and seniors to remain in New Jersey.

The candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.

Age: 51

Hometown: Englewood Cliffs

Occupation: Attorney

Personal background: Assembly member Ellen J. Park was born in Seoul, South Korea. She immigrated to the United States in 1978, and her family settled in Queens. She received her B.A. from New York University and J.D. from Hofstra Law School. She is a practicing attorney. She resides in Englewood Cliffs with her husband and two teenage sons.

Political background: She was elected to the Englewood Cliffs Borough Council in 2016 and served until 2018. At Hofstra Law School, Ms. Park was the vice president of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association and headed a voter registration drive on Main Street in Queens in 1996. She also hosted a conference for Hofstra Law School with Judge Denny Chin as the guest speaker, one of the first Asian American federal judges nominated by President Clinton.

Why are you running for office? Ms. Park believes that diversity and inclusion and the inalienable rights of all people regardless of race, gender, religion or sexual orientation is what makes New Jersey and District 37 the best place to live and wants to ensure that these rights will remain steadfast and true for future generations.

Key election issue: Diversity and inclusion.

Visibility and representation matter. Ms. Park always tells her constituents, “Just think what we could do if there was more of me.” Besides encouraging people to be active and engage politically, she focuses on getting out information to the people, especially various government and non-government grants and assistance that are available to those in need.

Example of a successful project: Assembly member Park is sponsoring several bills aimed at recognizing the Asian community and encouraging representation. These include ACR-140 (honors Korean veterans of the Vietnam War), AJR-200 (designates Nov. 22 of each year as Kimchi Day), AJR-201 (designates annual Lunar New Year in NJ) and AJR-228 (commemorates 70th anniversary of the armistice that ended the Korean War).

Example of a challenge faced: Ms. Park’s life is the American dream. She immigrated to the US, not speaking a word of English, feeling out of place, enduring financial hardships, but also committed to building a better future for her family. She attended Bronx Science, NYU and received a law degree from Hofstra. Now she is a sitting assemblywoman and the first Korean and East Asian woman to ever be elected to the New Jersey Legislature.

On NJ’s gun laws: As a member of the Asian American Pacific Islander community, a community that has seen a stark rise in hate and bigoted violence in the wake of COVID-19, Ms. Park was very proud to be a prime sponsor of A-4769, which when signed by Gov. Murphy became the strongest gun violence prevention law in the country.

On the Murphy administration’s climate change proposals: She is a supporter of offshore wind, as wind energy is an ever-present and incredibly valuable tool to end our over-reliance on fossil fuels. New Jersey’s homes could soon be entirely powered by energy from offshore wind.

On housing affordability and property taxes: New Jersey and Bergen County, especially, are expensive places to live and raise a family. The Legislature and Murphy administration have worked together, engaging in a concerted effort to lower our state’s property taxes. The maximum financial eligibility for Senior Freeze has been significantly expanded, including retaining eligibility for a one-time income surge, and the ANCHOR program has been well publicized to provide significant property tax relief for our hard-working middle-class residents; financial eligibility for this program continues to rise to meet our high cost of living. The StayNJ program, with a maximum income threshold of $500,000, is slated to begin in the first quarter of 2026, with a maximum benefit of $6,500 indexed to increases in future property tax bills, and is expected to cut property taxes by half for most of our senior residents and allow them to remain in NJ and age in place close to friends and family. These programs, which I support, will provide much-needed relief.

Campaign website

The candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.