With the New Jersey primaries just days away, it’s time for the Jewish community to take stock—not only of who we are, but how we vote. Antisemitism is escalating, both in rhetoric and violence. Harassment and marginalization have become normalized. This is not the year to sit out or split our vote.
For too long, Jewish voters in New Jersey—especially those within the Democratic Party—have been taken for granted. Many of us skip the primaries, where small margins can decide elections. Worse, our vote is increasingly fractured, weakening our collective voice. It’s time to stop “making our own Shabbat” when it comes to choosing candidates. We must vote strategically, and together.
In the Democratic gubernatorial primary, the clear choice for Jewish voters is Josh Gottheimer. He’s been a lifelong ally—supporting Israel, condemning antisemitism, backing the IHRA definition, and reaching across the aisle to deliver results. He voted against the Biden arms embargo on Israel and has never wavered in his commitment to our community.
Contrast that with frontrunner Mikie Sherrill. While she supports IHRA, she didn’t vote to condemn antisemitism in the House or oppose the arms embargo. She also frequently elevates concerns about “Islamophobia” in New Jersey—often without basis—while failing to recognize the very real and rising threat of antisemitism. She may be palatable to some, but her progressive affiliations and inconsistent positions are red flags.
Then there’s Steve Fulop—a nonstarter. Though Jewish, he has opposed IHRA and aligned with problematic factions in Jersey City. He allowed the Palestinian flag to be raised over city hall multiple times, and his appeals to Jewish voters ring hollow. Fulop is an “as-a-Jew” candidate whose words don’t match his record. He cannot be trusted.
This race is not about symbolic identity or generic platitudes—it’s about real support and real policy. Gottheimer is the only candidate who has shown both.
Locally, we’re fortunate to have two solidly pro-Jewish slates running for Assembly: Stern/Hernandez-Carroll and Warburg/Park. Both tickets support Israel, religious school funding, and the IHRA definition. However, only one should earn our vote—Stern and Hernandez-Carroll—for a crucial reason: Warburg and Park are running on Steve Fulop’s ticket.
Their alliance with Fulop is disqualifying. Even if Warburg and Park hold strong positions on Jewish issues, aligning with a mayor who opposes IHRA and enables antisemitic factions shows poor judgment. If they win, Fulop likely won’t bring key bills to a vote—regardless of their stance.
We cannot afford to split the Jewish vote and hand the race to the hostile Haider/Park slate. This is a moment for political clarity, not nuance. Stern and Hernandez-Carroll are not just acceptable—they are necessary.
Jewish voters in New Jersey have the numbers to make a difference—if we act with unity. In this critical election, let’s make our values heard loud and clear.
Vote Josh Gottheimer for Governor. Vote Stern and Hernandez-Carroll for Assembly. And vote united.
Dan Shlufman is a lawyer, Tenafly resident and the Immediate Past President of the Jewish Federation of Northern NJ (though the opinions are his own)
