Age: 44

Hometown: Paramus

Occupation: Lawyer

Personal background: I was raised by Italian immigrants who imparted in me the values of hard work and the American dream. I was the first in my family to attend college and work as an attorney. I attended Fordham University as an undergraduate and received my J.D. from Cooley Law School.

Political background: I served as the Paramus Council president from 2012 to 2013 before serving as an assemblymember for LD-38. I am now the district’s state senator.

Why are you running for office? I’m running for office because I’m deeply committed to representing the people of New Jersey and fighting for their interests. New Jersey faces a range of challenges, from affordability and education to environmental concerns, like clean water and climate change. As a Democrat, I believe in policies that prioritize these issues, and I want to be a strong advocate for our constituents, working to improve the quality of life for all residents of our great state.

Key election issue: Reproductive health care is one of the most important issues in the state this election. As a state senator, I’ve worked tirelessly to protect a woman’s right to choose and will continue to do so after I’m elected.

To ensure access to essential reproductive health care, I’m supporting legislation that guarantees affordable and accessible contraception for all residents. I’m also fighting to protect and enhance women’s reproductive rights, including access to safe and legal abortion services, by opposing restrictive measures and advocating for reproductive justice. Lastly, I’m working to increase funding for family planning clinics to provide critical health care services to underserved communities across the state. These initiatives collectively aim to safeguard and enhance reproductive health rights for all New Jerseyans.

Example of a successful project: As a state senator, one of my top priorities has been reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and promoting clean energy. That’s why I supported the Clean Energy Act, which sets a goal of achieving 100% clean energy by 2050 and requires the development of a plan to achieve this goal. I also advocated for the Transportation and Climate Initiative, which would create a cap-and-invest program to reduce emissions from transportation and invest in cleaner alternatives.

Example of a challenge faced: One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in the Legislature is dealing with gridlock and red tape. New Jersey’s legislative process can sometimes become bogged down in bureaucracy, making it difficult to pass crucial legislation efficiently. To address this, I’ve actively collaborated with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, emphasizing the importance of finding common ground for the benefit of our constituents. Additionally, I’ve advocated for streamlining bureaucratic processes and eliminating unnecessary regulations that hinder progress.

On NJ’s gun laws: Ensuring gun safety has been a significant focus of my tenure in the State Senate. In 2022, I championed a set of bills aimed at enhancing firearm regulation in New Jersey. These measures included mandatory firearm registration and provisions to empower the attorney general to effectively address illegal gun sales. Additionally, I proudly backed legislation that prohibits the carrying of firearms in densely populated public areas and among vulnerable communities. These efforts collectively bolstered New Jersey’s standing in gun safety and reinforced our commitment to a safer, more responsible approach to firearm ownership.

On the Murphy administration’s climate change proposals: Yes, I strongly support initiatives to combat climate change, including alternative energy development, green infrastructure and more. These actions are essential to reducing emissions and transitioning to a sustainable future. To enhance these efforts, I would prioritize expanding public transportation and investing in clean energy infrastructure to accelerate our transition away from polluting energy sources and ensure equitable access to green technologies for all communities.

On housing affordability and property taxes: Addressing these pressing issues in New Jersey requires a comprehensive strategy. I’m committed to advocating for policies that promote affordable housing, such as expanding low-income housing tax credits and offering incentives for developers to build affordable units. Additionally, we must work to reform property tax systems, making them fairer and more transparent. Exploring ways to relieve property tax burdens on middle-class families and seniors while ensuring adequate funding for essential services is crucial. These are the reasons I supported tax rebate programs, such as StayNJ and ANCHOR. It’s important New Jersey is an accessible state for all its residents.

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The candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.

Age: 41

Hometown: Bergenfield

Occupation: Administrator

Personal background: I am a father, husband and neighbor who served on the Borough of Bergenfield Council for eight years. I’m a proud first-generation Irish American and Bergenfield native. I studied political science at Northeastern University and have worked in different public service roles in New Jersey.

Political background: I was on the Borough of Bergenfield Council from 2009 to 2017 and served as council president in 2011 and 2014. I am one of the current assemblymembers for LD-38.

Why are you running for office? I’m running for office because I’m deeply passionate about serving the people of New Jersey and making a positive impact on their lives. New Jersey faces various challenges, from keeping families safe from gun violence to ensuring women have access to reproductive health care. I want to continue working tirelessly to create a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable future for the people of our great state.

Key election issue: One of the most critical issues in this election is the matter of gun violence. Far too many families have to worry about these preventable tragedies. New Jersey must remain a safe place to raise a family, and I will continue my work on preventing this needless violence.

I’m advocating for comprehensive gun control measures, including universal background checks and closing loopholes in the purchasing process. Additionally, I’m working to invest in community-based violence prevention programs, mental health services and initiatives that address the root causes of gun violence. My goal is to create a safer environment for all New Jersey residents while respecting responsible gun ownership.

Example of a successful project: I’m very proud of the work I’ve done to pass legislation that will increase penalties for repeat car-theft offenders. The residents of Bergen County have the right to feel safe and protected. We all rely on our transportation, and I know helping pass this legislation will make the lives of our residents easier.

Example of a challenge faced: One of the most formidable obstacles I’ve encountered in the Legislature revolves around municipalities in Bergen County facing increased expenses. To help address the issue, I worked in the Assembly to bring tax dollars back from Trenton to support our local communities and address budget shortfalls.

On NJ’s gun laws: Gun safety legislation has been a priority for me during my time in the Assembly. In 2022, I supported a series of bills that would require the registration of firearms in New Jersey and make it easier for the attorney general to prosecute those who illegally sell guns. Later that year, I also supported a law prohibiting individuals from carrying guns in crowded public places or among vulnerable populations – legislation that increased New Jersey’s gun safety rating.

On the Murphy administration’s climate change proposals: I strongly support initiatives to fight climate change, including promoting alternative energy sources and public transportation. We must continue to expand public transportation, invest in green infrastructure, and develop more renewable energy capacity to create a sustainable future for all.

On housing affordability and property taxes: Addressing the cost of rent, housing affordability and property taxes in New Jersey is crucial. I’m committed to promoting policies that expand affordable housing options, providing incentives for developers to create more affordable units. Additionally, I support property tax reforms that ensure a fair and equitable system. This includes exploring measures like revising property tax assessments and expanding property tax relief programs for low- and middle-income families. I backed tax rebate programs, like StayNJ and ANCHOR, for the following reason: ensuring New Jersey remains an inclusive state for all its residents is of paramount importance.

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The candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.

Age: 65

Hometown: Fair Lawn

Occupation: Legislator

Personal background: I am a mother, wife, businesswoman, triathlete and distance runner. I received my B.A. in psychology from the University of Rochester and my M.A. in sport and fitness management from New York University.

Political background: I was the mayor of Fair Lawn in 2011 and 2018 and was a councilwoman from 2008 to 2018. I am one of the current assemblymembers for LD-38.

Why are you running for office? I’m running for office because I’m deeply committed to serving the people of New Jersey. I believe in progressive policies that support our residents’ well being, from quality reproductive health care and affordable education to protecting our environment. I’m dedicated to representing our community’s values and making a positive impact on the lives of my constituents.

Key election issue: Affordability remains one of the most pressing concerns for New Jersey’s inhabitants. While our state offers an ideal setting for family life, entrepreneurship and retirement, it is imperative that we ensure these opportunities are accessible to all. For this reason, I proudly supported the StayNJ property tax rebates.

We must take steps such as broadening the eligibility criteria for the earned income tax credit, the ANCHOR tax rebates and the child tax credit. Moreover, we should collaborate with federal authorities to reintroduce the SALT deduction and foster shared services and municipal alliances. I will continue to champion these efforts and strive to make health care and prescription drugs more affordable, as well as facilitate homeownership by streamlining savings and purchase processes.

Example of a successful project: I am very proud of my work protecting reproductive rights in the Assembly. I was the primary sponsor of Assembly Bill 3977, which protects individuals from other states from extradition if they received lawful reproductive health services in New Jersey.

Example of a challenge faced: One of the most significant hurdles I encountered during my tenure was the Supreme Court striking down Roe v. Wade. I knew I’d have to act quickly to protect abortion rights in New Jersey, so I sponsored multiple bills, such as A3974 and A3975, to enshrine reproductive rights throughout the state.

On NJ’s gun laws: Gun safety legislation has remained a central focus throughout my tenure in the Assembly. In 2022, I lent my support to a set of bills aimed at enhancing firearm regulations in New Jersey. These measures included mandatory firearm registration and bolstered enforcement tools for the attorney general to combat illegal gun sales. Additionally, I championed legislation to prohibit the carrying of firearms in densely populated public spaces and among vulnerable communities. These actions collectively contributed to elevating New Jersey’s gun safety standards.

On the Murphy administration’s climate change proposals: I wholeheartedly support efforts to combat climate change. Alternative energy, sustainable infrastructure and efficient buildings and appliances are all crucial steps in reducing emissions and transitioning to a clean energy future. I will continue to prioritize expanding investments in public transportation, further incentivizing renewable energy adoption to accelerate our fight against climate change.

On housing affordability and property taxes: To address the pressing issues of rent costs, housing affordability and property taxes in New Jersey, I propose a comprehensive strategy. We need to expand affordable housing options through public-private partnerships and incentivize developers to build more affordable units. Additionally, I support property tax reform to ease the burden on homeowners, potentially through income-based property tax relief programs. It’s crucial to strike a balance that ensures equitable taxation while maintaining essential public services. I endorsed tax rebate programs, like StayNJ and ANCHOR, for the following reason: it’s crucial that New Jersey remains an inclusive and accessible state for all its residents.

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The candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.