Garwood Councilman Vinnie Kearney launched his first ad in his campaign to flip GOP-held Assembly seats in the 21st legislative district.
The ad is part of a buy on digital and cable platforms, according to the announcement. Kearney, a Democrat, is running with prosecutor Andrew Macurdy as they seek to flip seats held by Assemblywomen Michele Matsikoudis (R-New Providence) and Nancy Muñoz (R-Summit).
The 30-second ad features Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli. Kearney is a detective in the sheriff’s office.
“In the Assembly, I’ll stand up to anyone who’s not serious about cutting costs on utilities, prescriptions, or health care,” Kearney said in the ad. “Enough talk. Let’s get to work.”
Kearney and Macurdy are operating separate campaigns — the latter launched separate digital ads last week and opted against pooling resources under the Union County Democratic Party.
U.S. Senator Andy Kim is expected to campaign for Maccurdy in the coming weeks. Macurdy was an early supporter of Kim’s bid for the U.S. Senate in 2024.
Democrats haven’t won the 21st district since 1989, but it’s become a battleground. Kamala Harris carried the district by more than twelve percentage points last fall; Joe Biden won it by more than seventeen points in 2020, and Hillary Clinton took it by almost eight points in 2016.
Script: “Corvelli) “Vinnie Kearney? Vinnie Kearney? Vinnie Kearney, my neighbor? He tells it how it is. Vinnie Kearney, my councilman? When I needed help, he showed up and never backed down. Detective Vinnie Kearney? Out here, there’s no one I trust more. Vinnie Kearney for Assembly? Yeah, he’ll shake things up. (Kearney) Damn right. I’m Vinnie Kearney. In the Assembly, I’ll stand up to anyone who’s not serious about cutting costs on utilities, prescriptions, and healthcare. Enough talk, let’s get to work.”
