NA DEMOCRATS OUTPERFORM LOCAL GOP IN TUESDAY’S PRIMARY.
Democrat John Balwierczak leads all candidates with 727 votes, running-mate Jim Sever garners 636.
GOP Incumbent Kirk Del Russo receives just 613, running mate only 543.
Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill wins NA, will face-off with Republican Jack Ciattarelli who makes third attempt for Governor.
NORTH ARLINGTON – US Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill will face former state legislator Jack Ciattarelli for governor in a race to succeed incumbent Phil Murphy this November.
Sherrill, a former helicopter pilot, wife, mother and former prosecutor seeks to become the first female Democrat to serve as governor of New Jersey.
Sherrill led the race from start to finish as she also captured North Arlington with 29% of the vote.
Ciattarelli won his primary by landslide proportions over challengers Bill Spadea and John Bramrick.
The general election on November 4, 2025, is expected to be closely watched, as it is one of only two gubernatorial contests this year. Virginia is the other.
The outcome may provide vital insight into national political trends leading into the 2026 congressional midterms.
But the surprise of the primary was the impressive performance of North Arlington council candidate John Balwierczak, who outpaced the entire ballot with 727 votes, even more than legislative incumbents Gary Schaer (D-36) who received 713 and Clinton Calabrese (D-36), with 714.
Democrat Cengiz “Jim” Sever, Balwierczak’s running mate received 636, more votes than Del Russo as well.
963 Democrats cast votes for governor while just 756 Republicans, the first time since 2020 that Democrats outperformed the GOP.
“Democrats voted from the bottom-up, versus from the top down. It tells us the issues of rolling random assessments, higher property taxes and endless raises for part-time elected officials endorsed by Del Russo are unpopular and people are seriously considering a change,” noted Balwierczak making his second race for borough council.
“Del Russo supports rolling tax assessments. He voted to raise property taxes last year. He voted to award himself a raise again this year. He supported Arlington Valley and EnCap. He supports overdevelopment, more and more apartments, increased traffic and congestion compounded by less parking for residents. His record speaks for developers and for low-income housing when he endorsed some 1,600 units of housing in the Meadowlands. The resume and record of this real estate agent does not bode well for keeping North Arlington small, safe or suburban,” offered the longtime resident and graduate of North Arlington HS where he played varsity basketball.
Cengiz “Jim” Sever accounts for the strong electoral support due to the fact “voters are embracing our positive platform like endorsing a new youth center and bringing responsible two-party government back to the borough.”
The current make-up of the Mayor & Council is seven Republicans, and no Democrat has served since 2019.
Both Balwierczak and Sever seek to break the current Republican stranglehold on local government.