the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Mahwah NJ, incumbent Assemblymen Bob Auth (R-Old Tappan) and John Azzariti (R-Saddle River) have fended off a spirited GOP primary challenge from Frank Pallotta, a former congressional candidate, in New Jersey’s 39th Legislative District, according to projections from the New Jersey Globe.
Despite gaining endorsements from influential Republican leaders in Mahwah—the district’s largest town—Pallotta was unable to overcome the strength of the incumbent slate. Both Auth and Azzariti had the backing of the Bergen County Republican Organization, giving them a strategic edge in voter outreach and party loyalty.
đź“Š Final GOP Primary Vote Count (as of 10:30 p.m.):
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John Azzariti: 9,921 votes
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Bob Auth: 9,264 votes
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Frank Pallotta: 5,510 votes
🔥 Intra-Party Tensions & Mahwah Controversy
Pallotta’s campaign focused its firepower on Bob Auth, claiming the longtime legislator was not conservative enough for the district. While Pallotta did secure an endorsement from GOP leaders in Mahwah, his campaign faced headwinds after a mailing controversy. A mailer from the Auth-Azzariti team included the Mahwah GOP’s logo and endorsement without prior approval, sparking confusion and political fallout.
Despite this hiccup, Pallotta’s gains in Mahwah weren’t enough to outweigh the organizational strength and name recognition of the incumbents across the district.
🏛️ What’s Next: Competitive General Election Looms
With the Republican ticket now set, attention turns to what could be a competitive general election in November. The Democratic primary remains too close to call, but both the county party and the Democrats for Change slate have fielded strong contenders:
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Bergen County Democratic Organization Candidates:
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Donna Abene, former Woodcliff Lake Councilwoman
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Damon Englese, former Dumont Councilman
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Democrats for Change Slate (backed by Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop):
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Andrew LaBruno, former Dumont Mayor
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David Jiang, Demarest Councilman
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This internal battle among Democrats will shape the ticket that challenges Auth and Azzariti in a district increasingly seen as in-play due to shifting suburban voting patterns.
🗳️ Why It Matters
New Jersey’s 39th District, once considered a Republican stronghold, is becoming more politically competitive. Democrats are eyeing potential pickup opportunities in Bergen County suburbs as they build momentum heading into the 2025 general elections.
If Democrats can unite after their primary and turn out a broad coalition of suburban voters, the Auth-Azzariti ticket could face its toughest test yet.
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