In the June primary, Passaic County Democrats selected Christina Schratz, a member of the city of Passaic’s school board, and Mike Ramaglia, a former Republican councilman from West Milford who changed parties after losing a 2015 mayoral primary, as their slogan-bearing candidates for county commissioner.
After being informed that he would not receive party support for an eighth term, incumbent Terry Duffy decided not to run. Pat Lepore, who has been his running mate since 2005, is not running for reelection.
After testifying before a screening committee earlier today, Ramaglia and Schratz were chosen over Paterson City Councilwoman Lilissa Mimms.
It is still uncertain whether Duffy will run again in a primary with a lineless office block ballot.
John Currie, the county chairman, had Ramaglia as his top pick. Three months after Joe Biden’s 26-point victory in 2020, when Hispanic and Orthodox Jewish voters voted Republican, Schratz’s campaign follows Donald Trump’s 4.5% victory in the city of Passaic.
Former County Commissioner Nicolino Gallo, who was defeated by 3,354 votes in the last election, will be managed by Republicans. The Republican Party has yet to select a second candidate.
