Politics & Government
Bloomfield 2026 Primary Election Results For Town Council Race (UPDATED)
A sizzling-hot Democratic primary has reached the finish line. No Republicans filed to run.

This article was updated at 9:37 p.m. on June 2
BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A sizzling-hot primary election has reached the finish line in Bloomfield.
Voters in Bloomfield went to the polls Tuesday to pick Democratic and Republican nominees for town council. The winners will match up against any independent or third-party candidates in a general election on Nov. 3.
Find out what's happening in Bloomfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Seats on the Bloomfield Town Council are available in all three wards. Terms last for three years.
No Republicans filed to run in Bloomfield, likely leading to an easy pathway to victory in November for the candidates who win the Democratic primary election.
Find out what's happening in Bloomfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Here are the latest unofficial results, according to the Essex County Clerk’s Office:
Bloomfield First Ward (vote for one, 90.91 percent reported)
- Stefanie Santiago – 780 votes (45.99%)
- Rosalee Gonzalez – 916 votes (54.01%)
Bloomfield Second Ward (vote for one, 100 percent reported)
- Greg Babula – 1,159 votes (53.02%)
- Jason Martinez – 964 votes (44.1%)
- Paul Bonica – 63 votes (2.88%)
Bloomfield Third Ward (vote for one, 100 percent reported)
- Stef Bootwala – 663 votes (42.2%)
- Sarah Cruz – 908 votes (57.8%)
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The Democratic candidates aligned into two slates, with another candidate, Paul Bonica, competing in the second ward. The slates are:
FOR THE LOVE OF BLOOMFIELD – Rosalee Gonzalez (first ward), Jason Martinez (second ward), Sarah Cruz (third ward)
BLOOMFIELD FOR PROGRESS – Stefanie Santiago (first ward), Greg Babula (second ward), Stef Bootwala (third ward)
Each slate landed some major endorsements in the weeks leading up to the primary election.
U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, U.S. Rep. Analilia Mejia and New Jersey Sen. Britnee Timberlake endorsed the challengers: Santiago, Babula and Bootwala.
Meanwhile, Gov. Mikie Sherrill and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker backed Gonzalez and Cruz – both incumbents – in addition to newcomer Jason Martinez.
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