Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill (D-Montclair) and Zachary Beecher, a retired U.S. Army paratrooper and Iraq War veteran, filed petitions today to seek the Democratic nomination for Congress in New Jersey’s 11th district as candidates in the February 5 special primary election.
Gill submitted a nominating petition with 1,046 signatures, more than double the 500 needed to get on the ballot.
Beecher filed with 531 signatures – 35 over the required number to get on the ballot – and his campaign manager, Ken Meyer, told the New Jersey Globe the campaign plans to submit more signatures on Monday.
The special election will fill the vacant House seat created on November 20 with the resignation of Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair), now New Jersey’s governor-elect.
Anna Lee Williams, self-described community advocate, was the first to file. She submitted 1,039 signatures to the Division of Elections.
A group of 64 Democratic Party leaders sent a letter to Essex County Democratic Chairman LeRoy Jones, Jr. today asking for the December 2 convention to endorse an 11th district candidate to be postponed — they cited Morris County’s decision to hold a convention on December 12 — and include ranked choice voting.
“These are extraordinary circumstances: a short timeline, many candidates, no public polling, no campaign finance report from most of the candidates to understand their resources — and where those resources come from. There have been no forums or debates,” the letter stated. “Ranked-choice voting is a critical tool for ensuring unity behind the person chosen for the endorsement. By listing their preferences in order, convention delegates can ensure they have a voice that is heard even if their top choice doesn’t win; by receiving second- and third-choice support, the eventual winner will be able to claim support of a true majority of the convention”
Other candidates include: Passaic County Commissioner John Bartlett (D-Wayne); attorney and Trump impersonator J-L Cauvin; former congressional staffer Marc Chaaban; former Morristown Mayor Donald Cresitello; former Obama White House staffer Cammie Croft; Maplewood Township Committeeman and former mayor Dean Dafis; Morris Township Committeeman and former mayor Jeff Grayzel; newcomer Joseph Lewis; former Rep. Tom Malinowski; former Bernie Sanders political director and New Jersey Working Families executive director Analilia Mejia; newcomer Kennedy Pivnick; Chatham Councilman and Iraq War veteran Justin Strickland; and Lt. Governor and Secretary of State Tahesha Way.
The lone Republican in the race is Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway.
The filing deadline is Monday, December 1, at 4 PM.
