With more than two years to go, the state officially has its first candidate vying to be the next governor. While Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s formal launch of his campaign this week in what is expected to be a crowded field of Democratic challengers was no surprise, the timing caught some off guard, leaving political insiders to wonder when other candidates will declare.
“He has an open plain right now whereas the others are facing a more complicated picture,” said Charles Stile, Bergen Record columnist. Potential candidates who are facing their own elections before 2025 include U.S. Reps. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and state Sens. Mike Testa (R-Cumberland) and Jon Bramnick (R-Morris). Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and former Senate President Steve Sweeney are also potential candidates for governor.
“We have to hold serve here in Legislative District One and if the people of New Jersey want me after that to put my name in the hat I will strongly consider it. There is no doubt about that,” Testa said.
“What I’m doing is I’m running for the Senate and that’s a four-year term, but you call me the day after if I win my Senate term and I’ll be happy to discuss that,” said Bramnick.
The battle could then come down to who can get the party line from the most important county party organizations. And getting out early may not have much of an impact on that for Fulop.
