Varela gets new round of endorsements from local NJ-7 Dems

A new group of local Democratic elected officials and party leaders has endorsed Brian Varela for the 7th congressional district with just a few weeks to go before county conventions in many of their home counties.

Among the endorsers today are Wharton Councilwomen Jennifer Hobbs and Marisa Gonzalez; Stanhope Councilmen Daniel Smith and Anthony Riccardi, the latter of whom is one of Sussex County’s two Democratic state committeepeople; and Dennis Sullivan, who was the mayor of Somerville from 2017 through 2023.

“During my campaign, Brian was a constant and visible presence, always ready to help wherever he could,” Gonzalez said in a statement. “He had nothing to gain – he simply did what was right because it was right. That kind of integrity stands out. I truly believe Brian has what it takes to defeat Tom Kean Jr. and represent New Jersey with honesty and strength.”

Also endorsing Varela are the chairs of the Hopatcong and Stanhope Democratic municipal committees and June Fischer, a former DNC delegate and Jewish community leader. The new supporters join several dozen other local endorsers who have weighed in for Varela since he launched his campaign last spring; Varela now has at least one public supporter in every county in the district.

As shown by last week’s special Democratic primary in the 11th congressional district, local endorsements don’t necessarily sway very many voters, especially in high-profile and expensive primaries like the one currently taking place in the 7th district.

What they do signify, however, is momentum ahead of county convention season, when the 7th district’s six Democratic county parties will issue endorsements in the six-way race to defeat Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield). Hunterdon Democrats will hold their convention in just over a week, and the other five parties will meet in the weeks after that; Varela’s new round of endorsements should give him a boost in Sussex, Somerset, and Morris Counties, the last of which is his home county and political base.