Here’s Who Is Running For Essex County Executive, Commissioner Board: 2026 Primary Election

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The races have begun in Essex County.

Several candidates have filed to run for county offices in the 2026 primary election, which takes place Tuesday, June 2.

Democratic and Republican candidates will compete for their party’s nomination in the primary. The winners will match up against any independent or third-party candidates for all the marbles in a general election on Nov. 3.

Here are the races taking place on the county level this year:

ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Both candidates for Essex County executive are running unopposed in the primary: Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. (Democrat), and Maritza Mathews (Republican).

Some of the responsibilities of the office include preparing county budgets, hiring and dismissal of county employees, and other administrative duties. Terms last for four years.

ESSEX COUNTY COMMISSIONER

Four at-large seats on the Essex County Board of Commissioners are up for election. Terms last for three years.

Earlier this year, two longtime commissioners announced they are not running for re-election: Patricia Sebold and Brendan Gill.

The commissioner board has several powers, including approval of the annual operating and capital budgets. Other powers include passing ordinances and resolutions, overriding a veto of the county executive and conducting investigations.

Here’s who filed to run in the 2026 primary:

Democrat

• Deborah Engel
• Marques-Aquil Lewis
• Christine McGrath
• Abdur Yasin
• Shawn Klein
• Wayne Richardson

Republican

• Demetrius Eley
• Daniela Ferriera Almeida
• Douglas Freeman
• Sahwa DeFrank

Meanwhile, other candidates have filed to run for five open seats in each commissioner district. None face a challenge for their party’s nomination. Terms last for three years.

The candidate list includes:

District 1: Newark (North Ward, East Ward, and parts of Central, South and West Wards)

• Democrat – Wilson Pichardo
• Republican – No petitions filed

District 2: Newark (parts of South and Central Wards), Irvington, Maplewood

• Democrat – A’Dorian Murray-Thomas
• Republican – No petitions filed

District 3: Newark (part of West Ward), East Orange, Orange, South Orange

• Democrat – Medinah Muhammad
• Republican – No petitions filed

District 4: Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Livingston, Millburn, North Caldwell, Roseland, Verona, West Caldwell and West Orange

• Democrat – Leonard Luciano
• Republican – Adam Kraemer

District 5: Belleville, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Montclair, Nutley

• Democrat – Carlos Pomares
• Republican – Frank Contella

VOTER INFORMATION

Election Day for the 2026 primary takes place on June 2. Early in-person voting will take place from May 26 to May 31.

Here are a couple of other important dates for voters to keep in mind if they plan to cast a ballot in the primary, according to the Essex County Board of Elections:

• Last day for registration and transfer (21 days prior to election), May 12, 2026
• Last day to apply by mail for a Vote-By-Mail Ballot (seven days prior to election), May 26, 2026

Unsure if you’re registered? Need to find your local polling place? Planning to vote by mail? Learn more at the New Jersey state voter online portal here.

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