Long-serving Rep. Frank Pallone (D-Long Branch) already faces two Democratic primary opponents ahead of next year’s election for the 6th congressional district, and now he’s got a Republican challenger as well.
Hillary Herzig, an Oceanport resident and first-time candidate, filed with the FEC last week for a campaign in the Democratic-leaning 6th district, which includes diverse suburbs like Edison and Woodbridge as well as parts of the Jersey Shore.
According to her campaign website, Herzig is a mom of three, military spouse, and civil servant who has worked for the Key West Chief of Police, the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Operations, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. She lists protecting parental rights, lowering taxes, and ensuring “medical freedom” as her top priorities if she’s elected.
“The incumbent in New Jersey’s District 6 has been in Congress for 32 years – and our communities have not become stronger, safer, freer, or more affordable,” Herzig says on her website. “It’s time for leadership that puts New Jersey First – our families, our future, and our identity.”
Republicans in Monmouth County have been split for years into factions affiliated with and against GOP Chairman Shaun Golden, and Herzig appears to hail from the latter faction. Throughout this spring’s GOP gubernatorial primary, she was a strong supporter of Bill Spadea and a critic of Jack Ciattarelli, who is a close Golden ally.
Pallone has represented the 6th district for close to 40 years, first winning the seat in 1988 after Rep. James Howard (D-Spring Lake Heights) died in office. Now the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Pallone has faced a few notable Republican opponents over the years, but none have come within single digits of beating him since Joe Kyrillos in 1992.
The 74-year-old congressman does have two Democratic primary opponents who argue that he’s no longer the right generational or ideological fit for the district: investment analyst Katie Bansil and Our Revolution activist John Hsu. Neither, however, has drawn much attention to their campaigns thus far; Hsu ran against Pallone in 2024 and lost 84%-16%.
