NJ 8th District Congressional Election Profiles: Aristotle Eliopoulos

NORTH JERSEY — Aristotle Eliopoulos of Jersey City is facing incumbent Rob Menendez Jr. and two other challengers to represent New Jersey's 8th District in Congress.

The district includes much of Hudson County and parts of Newark and Elizabeth.

Eliopoulos is running as an independent.

Menendez, a Democrat who won the primary in June, faces no Republican opponents on the ballot this time around.

The pair also face candidates Craig Honts from the Socialist Workers Party and Da'Shone Hughey from the We The People Party.

The general election will be held the first Tuesday in November. Patch is publishing candidate profiles in major contested races, including this one.

Below is Eliopoulos' profile. Check here to read other profiles and more election coverage in North Jersey, and also click on Election Night for the results.

Aristotle Eliopoulos' Profile

AGE: 35

POLITICAL PARTY AND SLOGAN: Independent - Results Not Rhetoric

CURRENT AND PAST GOVERNMENT/VOLUNTEER POSITIONS: N/A

CURRENT JOB, IF APPLICABLE: History & Law Teacher

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: St Peter's: Bachelors Degree

VOLUNTEER WORK: N/A

FAMILY INFORMATION (whatever you're willing to disclose): N/A

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN TOWN? Born and Raised in Jersey City (Lived my whole life)

Longer Questions

1. What do you think are the biggest problems facing your electorate right now, and how do you hope to help solve them?

The biggest challenges facing NJ-08 residents are the rising cost of living, housing affordability, access to quality healthcare, public education, and infrastructure/transportation. Families are working hard but struggling to keep up with expenses, while students with special needs and their families often face barriers to receiving the support they deserve. I would work to expand affordable housing opportunities, lower healthcare costs, strengthen public education and special needs services, to invest in infrastructure, and hold corruption accountable. My priority is to pursue practical solutions that improve everyday life for working families, seniors, students, and small-business owners.

2. Why do you believe you're the most qualified person for the spot?

As an educator, union representative, and special needs advocate, I bring firsthand experience with the challenges facing students, families, workers, and our communities. I am running as an independent because I believe constituents deserve representation that is accountable to them rather than controlled by party politics/special interests. My approach emphasizes, transparency, fiscal responsibility, and practical solutions over partisan rhetoric. I recognize that meaningful progress requires working with people across political differences. I would bring middle of the road perspective of an educator and community advocate to Congress, focusing on results, accountability, and what matter to residents.

More Information

The 8th Congressional District includes Bayonne, East Newark, Elizabeth, Guttenberg, Harrison, Hoboken, part of Jersey City, part of Kearny, North Bergen, Union City, Weehawken, and West New York.

See the map of the district here.

See the election calendar and voter information for New Jersey here.

Other Election Details, Letters

See other candidate profiles, voter information, and come back to Patch on Election Night to view the results as they come in by clicking Patch news.

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See the New Jersey voter information portal and election timelines here.