April 07, 2025
All 80 seats in the New Jersey Assembly are up for grabs this November, including eight seats across four districts representing Morris County. With Republican incumbents running unopposed in the June primary and a decades-long GOP dominance in the region, Democrats face an uphill battle to flip these seats in the general election. Will 2025 be the year Democrats finally break through in Morris County?

A Republican Stronghold

Morris County’s 39 municipalities are primarily split between Districts 25 and 26, with smaller portions in Districts 21 and 24. The Republican incumbents—Assemblywoman Aura Dunn and Assemblyman Christian Barranco (District 25), Assemblymen Jay Webber and Brian Bergen (District 26), Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia and Assemblyman Mike Inganamort (District 24), and Assemblywomen Michele Matsikoudis and Nancy Muñoz (District 21)—are all seeking re-election and face no primary challengers. This sets the stage for a predictable GOP lineup heading into November.

Historically, Democrats have struggled to gain traction in these districts. The last Democrat to represent District 25 was Gordon MacInness (1994-1998), while District 26 hasn’t elected a Democrat since Richard Codey in 1981. District 24 hasn’t seen a Democratic win since 1973, and District 21’s lone Democratic representative in the past 50 years was Neil Cohen (1990-1991). Redistricting over the years has shifted some boundaries, but the GOP edge remains firm.

The Candidates

Here’s a breakdown of who’s running in the four districts covering Morris County towns (in bold):

• District 25 (Boonton Township, Harding, Madison, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township, Morris, Morristown, etc.):
  • Republicans: Incumbents Aura Dunn and Christian Barranco are unopposed in the primary. Dunn emphasizes economic security and fiscal restraint, while Barranco brings experience from his 2021 election in District 26 before redistricting moved him.
  • Democrats: Morristown Councilman Steve Pylypchuk and Planning Board member Marisa Sweeney are running without county committee endorsements but have the backing of Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop’s gubernatorial campaign. Pylypchuk, 38, pitches himself as a leader who understands local struggles, while Sweeney highlights her work in women’s wellness.
• District 26 (Boonton, Denville, East Hanover, Florham Park, Hanover, Morris Plains, Mountain Lakes, Parsippany-Troy Hills, etc.):
  • Republicans: Jay Webber, a veteran lawmaker, and Brian Bergen, who joined the district after 2023 redistricting, face no primary opposition. Webber touts fiscal discipline and individual liberty, while Bergen focuses on lower taxes and support for veterans.
  • Democrats: Michael Mancuso, a small business owner and former Pequannock council candidate, teams up with Walter Mielarczyk, an engineering manager who ran in 2023. Both are endorsed by the Morris County Democratic Committee.
• District 24 (Chester Borough, Chester Township, Mount Olive, Netcong, Roxbury, Washington):
  • Republicans: Incumbents Dawn Fantasia and Mike Inganamort, elected in 2023 after redistricting and retirements shook up the district, are unopposed in the primary.
  • Democrats: Steve Barratt and Eugene Grinberg, both from Long Valley, are running. Grinberg has the Morris County Democratic Committee’s endorsement, while Barratt aligns with Fulop’s campaign.
• District 21 (Bernardsville, Far Hills, Long Hill):
  • Republicans: Incumbents Michele Matsikoudis (elected 2021) and Nancy Muñoz (in office since 2009) face no primary challengers.
  • Democrats: Andrew Macurdy, a former prosecutor, and Vincent Kearney, a Garwood councilman, are unopposed in their primary.

What’s at Stake

This year’s Assembly races coincide with the high-profile gubernatorial election, which could drive turnout and influence down-ballot outcomes. For Democrats, candidates like Pylypchuk, Sweeney, and Barratt—tied to Fulop’s anti-establishment platform—signal a push against the status quo. Meanwhile, Republicans are banking on their long-standing voter support and a unified front in the primaries.

Morris County voters have consistently favored GOP candidates for the Assembly, but shifting demographics and national political trends could test that loyalty. Can Democrats capitalize on these factors, or will the Republican edge hold firm once again?

Stay tuned to NJBallot.com for updates on these races and more as we head toward the June primaries and November general election.