With just under two weeks until the June 10 Democratic Primary, State Assembly candidates Yitz Stern and Rosemary Hernandez Carroll have been on the ground, face to face with residents across District 37, continuing to prove that this campaign is rooted in real conversations, real issues, and real leadership.

From knocking on doors in Hackensack and Bogota to community events in Englewood, the “Together for Bergen 37” team is showing what grassroots organizing looks like. They are meeting neighbors where they are, listening deeply, and bringing forward solutions that reflect the hopes and concerns of everyday families.

Earlier this week, Hernandez Carroll canvassed neighborhoods in Hackensack, joined by community advocates Hector Modesto Romero and Rudy Jiménez. Together, they discussed what is at stake this election, from housing affordability to school funding, and emphasized the importance of showing up, not just during campaign season, but every day thereafter.

She also joined former Bogota Councilman Jorge Nuñez to knock on doors in Bogota, continuing her efforts to connect directly with voters across the district. The conversations, like the neighborhoods, were diverse and meaningful, underscoring the shared priorities that unite communities throughout Bergen.

The week also included a candid and powerful conversation with Courtnay Johnson-Suffern, president of the Bergen County NAACP, and Amy Bullock, second vice president and chair of the Political Action Committee. Topics ranged from homeownership access in Hackensack, Teaneck, and Englewood, to equity in public education, and the barriers facing immigrant communities.

“Listening is leadership,” said Hernandez Carroll. “This meeting reminded me that real progress starts with sitting down, hearing each other out, and doing the work, together.”

The community connections continued with a heartfelt event at Bianco Nero Gelato in Englewood, where residents gathered for an afternoon of “Scoops, Conversations, and Community.” Both candidates took time to speak with voters one-to-one, diving into concerns around public safety, economic opportunity, and the need for policies that protect small businesses.

Later in the week, the candidates were honored guests on “Coffee With the Mayor,” a civic conversation series hosted by Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes and the Englewood Public Library. Over Zoom and Facebook Live, Stern and Hernandez Carroll outlined their vision for District 37: strengthening public schools, making communities more affordable, and ensuring residents feel safe, heard, and represented.

The week also featured strong moments of moral clarity. During a live interview on the Nachum Segal Network, Stern reiterated his commitment to combating antisemitism in all its forms, urging the state to adopt the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism. “Law enforcement knows how to define harassment and burglary; it is time they know how to define antisemitism too,” Stern said, calling for policy that gives communities the tools to protect themselves.

“We are not interested in politics as usual,” Stern added. “We are building something rooted in relationships, in listening, and in showing up even when the cameras are not around. That is how you rebuild trust.”

Throughout it all, the campaign has remained anchored in its core values: boots on the ground leadership, community engagement, and an unwavering commitment to transparency and inclusion. The energy is growing, and so is the team.

As the campaign continues, both candidates have emphasized the importance of local elections in shaping everyday life. They are reminding voters that who we elect locally impacts housing, schools, safety, and so much more.

Early voting begins Monday, June 3 and runs through Saturday, June 8. To find your District 37 early voting site, visit bergencountyclerk.gov/Services/77.

“As we head into this final stretch, we are learning, growing, and standing shoulder to shoulder with the people we seek to serve,” said Hernandez Carroll. “It is the only way we know how to lead.”

On Memorial Day, both candidates joined residents in Teaneck to honor those who gave their lives in service to the country. It was a reminder that public service, at its best, is about humility, sacrifice, and a deep love for one’s community.

To learn more about the campaign, visit TogetherForBergen37.com.