Democrat challengers Caren Fitzpatrick, Alphonso Harrell and Lisa Bender.
Republican incumbents Vince Polistina, Don Guardian and Claire Swift.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
Claire Swift of Margate wants to get re-elected to her current position representing Atlantic County in New Jersey's 2nd Legislative District. Her running mates are Republican incumbents Sen. Vince Polistina of Egg Harbor Township and Assemblyman Don Guardian of the Northeast Inlet area of Atlantic City.
Their Democrat challengers are current Atlantic County Commissioner at Large Caren Fitzpatrick of Somers Point, who aims to unseat Polistina. Her running mates for Assembly seats are disabled U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Atlantic City kindergarten teacher Alphonso Harrell of Egg Harbor Township, and marine scientist Lisa Bender of Somers Point.
Swift is a lifelong resident of Margate, an attorney, community volunteer, wife of John and mother of three children. She was first elected to serve as assemblywoman in 2022.
Polistina, husband to Caroline and father of three sons, is an engineer whose practice serves numerous municipalities in the South Jersey region and has offices in Egg Harbor and Galloway townships. He previously served in the General Assembly from 2008 to 2011 and was elected senator in 2022. He has sponsored legislation to create the Tourism District in Atlantic City, make it easier for police to control youth rowdiness and ban smoking at the casinos.
Former Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian was the third member of the Republican team to sweep the 2022 election. He previously worked for the Boy Scouts of America, was an executive at the Claridge Casino Hotel, and ran the CRDA Special Improvement District for more than 20 years. Most recently, he served as business administrator in Toms River. Married to husband Louis Fatato, he is actively involved in the Metropolitan Business and Citizens Association, Atlantic County Improvement Authority and NAACP.
The Republican team, cites putting the brakes on offshore wind, supporting law enforcement to protect residents and delivering property tax relief as their top priorities. The team supported the bipartisan ANCHOR rebate program that's sending up to $1,750 to qualified residents.
Fitzpatrick, who ran unsuccessfuly for a seat in the Assembly in 2022, said she has a proven track record representing Atlantic County residents as a member of the Atlantic County Board of County Commissioners, where she successfully creating good union jobs, fully funding education, affordable healthcare and mental health services, and strongly advocates for women's reproductive choice.
Harrell, who is a Marine veteran, teaches kindergarten at Atlantic City's Pennsylvania Avenue School. He supports increased school funding, veterans issues and mental health services.
Bender, an environmental expert and small business owner, is currently a real estate sales agent. Like her teammates, she is a strong proponent of reproductive freedom and bringing good paying union jobs to the region. She strongly supports transitioning away from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
Although the team is disappointed that Osted has pulled out of the planned Ocean Wind 1 and 2 projects, they view it only as a setback and will continue to work to bring jobs and protect the environment through renewable energy.
To learn more about the candidates, view the Stockton University Hughes Center for Public Policy debate at https://www.youtube.com/live/oHfk5xb6X5I?si=i1iVu-tU_WfVk7yF
Other local candidates running in the Nov. 7 election include Ventnor resident Maria Mento who is running unopposed to maintain the seat she was appointed to in February following the resignation of former Mayor Beth Holtzman who moved to Galloway Township. Following the election, she will serve as commissioner for the next four years.
File Photo/NJ Sen. Vince Polistina swears in Maria Mento as Ventnor City Commissioner as her friend Michael Goloff holds the Bible.
In Longport, incumbent Carl Tripician is running unopposed for a three-year term on the Board of Education.
Voters will also cast their ballots for the positions of Atlantic County Executive, Atlantic County Sheriff, and two seats for Atlantic County Commissioner at Large. The candidates are:
County Executive
Dennis Levinson (R), incumbent
Joyce Pratt (D)
Sheriff
Eric Scheffler (D), incumbent
Joe O'Donoghue (R)
Commissioner at Large (vote for 2)
John Risley (R), incumbent
June Byrnes (R)
Kim O'Brien (D)
Habib Rehman (D)
The polls are open Tuesday, Nov. 7 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the following polling locations (check your sample ballot to find your polling place):
VENTNOR
D-1 Ventnor Community Building, 6500 Atlantic Ave.
D-2 Ventnor Community Building, 6500 Atlantic Ave.
D-3 Ventnor Educational Community Complex, 400 N. Lafayette Ave.
D-4 VFW Post #3361, 601 N. Dorset Ave.
D-5 VFW Post #3361, 601 N. Dorset Ave.
MARGATE Updated
D-1, 3 & 4 Eugene A. Tighe Middle School, 7804 Amherst Ave. (Monmouth Avenue entrance)
D-2 William H. Ross Elementary School, 8103 Winchester Ave.
Sincerely,
In the Downbeach area, mail in ballots can be placed in the secure drop boxes until 8 p.m. on Election Day. Drop boxes are located at:
Margate
Municipal Hall
1 South Washington Avenue
Margate, NJ 08402
Ventnor
Municipal Hall
6201 Atlantic Avenue
Ventnor, NJ 08406
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