Essex County Commissioner, Surrogate: 2023 Primary Election Results

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The playing field is taking shape for a November showdown between Democrats and Republicans in Essex County.

On Tuesday, Essex County residents went to the polls to vote in the 2023 primary election. Among other choices, residents got to vote for two county-wide offices: the board of commissioners and the county surrogate.

With 95.82 percent of districts reported as of Tuesday night, the four Democratic incumbents running for at-large seats on the board of commissioners – Patricia Sebold, Brendan Gill, Romaine Graham and Wayne Richardson – held wide leads over the lone challenger, Justin Harris.

Here are the unofficial results as of 10:31 p.m. on June 6, according to the Essex County Clerk’s Office:

• Patricia Sebold – 25,855 votes (22.91%)
• Brendan Gill – 27,614 votes (24.47%)
• Romaine Graham – 26,610 votes (23.58%)
• Wayne Richardson – 26,659 votes (23.62%)
• Justin Harris – 6,128 votes (5.43 %)

The four Republican candidates for at-large seats on the board of commissioners ran unopposed: Joseph Cifelli, Alexandra Campisi, Aristotle Popolizio and Michael Pocelinko.

There are also five open seats in each commissioner district. None of the candidates faced a challenge for their party’s nomination. The list includes:

District 1: Newark (North Ward, East Ward, and parts of Central, South and West Wards)

• Democrat – Robert Mercado (incumbent)
• Republican – No petitions filed

District 2: Newark (parts of South and Central Wards), Irvington, Maplewood

• Democrat – A’Dorian Murray-Thomas
• Republican – No petitions filed

District 3: Newark (part of West Ward), East Orange, Orange, South Orange

• Democrat – Tyshammie Cooper (incumbent)
• Republican – No petitions filed

District 4: Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Livingston, Millburn, North Caldwell, Roseland, Verona, West Caldwell and West Orange

• Democrat – Leonard Luciano (incumbent)
• Republican – Adam Kraemer

District 5: Belleville, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Montclair, Nutley

• Democrat – Carlos Pomares (incumbent)
• Republican – Kristen Bloschak

Both candidates for county surrogate – Alturrick Kenney (Democrat) and Peter Russo (Republican) – ran uncontested for their party’s nomination.

The candidates will square off again during the general election, which will take place on Nov. 7. Here is some background information about the powers and duties of each office:

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS – The Essex County Board Of County Commissioners has several powers, including approval of the annual operating and capital budgets (property taxes in New Jersey are made up of three parts: school, municipal and county). Other powers include passing ordinances and resolutions, overriding a veto of the county executive and conducting investigations.

COUNTY SURROGATE – The duties of the Essex County Surrogate’s Office include probating wills, appointing administrators for those who die without a will of estates, qualifying trustees, and qualifying guardians of incapacitated persons. The surrogate's court is also the custodian of minors’ funds until the minor turns 18 years of age, when they either receive the proceeds from a lawsuit or are named as a beneficiary of an insurance policy or in a will.

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