Passaic County Democrats will allow a favorite daughter and a favorite son to use their organization slogan in the February 5 special Democratic primary for Congress in New Jersey’s 11th district, the New Jersey Globe has learned.
Lt. Governor Tahesha Way and County Commissioner John Bartlett, both Wayne residents and the two Passaic County candidates in the thirteen-candidate field, will be listed on the primary ballot with the official slogan: Passaic County Democratic Organization Endorsed Candidate.
Passaic County Democratic Chairman John Currie made that call last night in consultation with municipal leaders during a holiday meeting last night. The decision was unanimous, the New Jersey Globe has learned.
The Passaic County portion of the 11th includes Little Falls, Totowa, Woodland Park, and part of Wayne, and made up 9.4% of the Democratic primary vote in the 11th in 2024.
Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill won the right to use the Essex County Democratic organization slogan during a virtual meeting of county committee members on Monday evening. Bartlett and Way both competed at that convention.
Morris County Democrats will hold a convention on December 14 to endorse a candidate. The endorsement won’t come with the official party ballot slogan since the state deadline for slogans will have passed.
In the 11th, Essex accounted for 50.8% of the Democratic primary vote, and Morris accounted for 39.7%.
Way is Gov. Phil Murphy’s Lt. Governor and Secretary of State, and previously served as a Passaic County Freeholder and Administrative Law Judge. She has the backing of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Bartlett is a five-term county commissioner and voting rights attorney.
