Monmouth County Democrats Endorsed Candidates 2026
(* Next to name signifies incumbent running for re-election)
State-Wide U.S. Senate:
*Senator Cory Booker
Senator Cory Booker is New Jersey's senior Senator. He served as a Newark city councilman from 1998 to 2002, and later led the city as its mayor from 2006 until his election to the U.S. Senate in 2013. In Washington, Senator Booker fights for those who have been left out or left without a voice. Using an innovative approach focused on consensus-building, he has led bipartisan efforts to reform the nation's criminal justice system. He is also a tireless advocate in the fight against food insecurity in America, working to fix our nation's broken food system and combat the nutrition crisis.
Towns: State-Wide
To learn more and support Senator Booker, visit corybooker.com.
Congress (CD-6):
*Congressman Frank Pallone
Congressman Frank Pallone has represented Congressional District 6 since 1988. Throughout his career, Pallone has fought to make health care more affordable and accessible, protect and strengthen Medicare and Medicaid, and make the country's food system safer. Pallone has also fought to protect New Jersey's environment, including protecting our coast from dangerous offshore drilling, holding corporate polluters accountable for Superfund cleanups, and bolstering coastal resiliency.
Towns: Aberdeen Township, Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Atlantic Highlands, Bradley Beach, Deal, Fair Haven, Hazlet, Highlands, Interlaken, Keansburg, Keyport, Little Silver, Loch Arbour, Long Branch, Matawan, Middletown Township (part; also 4th; includes Leonardo and part of Belford, Fairview, North Middletown, and Port Monmouth), Monmouth Beach, Neptune City, Neptune Township, Oceanport, Red Bank, Rumson, Sea Bright, Union Beach, West Long Branch
To learn more and support Congressman Pallone, visit pallonefornewjersey.com.
Congressional District 4:
Rachel Peace
Rachel Peace, the Congressional District 4 nominee, was born and raised at the Jersey Shore. Until now, the millennial has made her voice heard as a concerned mom speaking out about ways to make life more affordable for NJ families- from healthcare to housing, and food. Her perspective is that the unbearable cost of living is a reflection of a broken system, not individual failures. Peace has also contributed to efforts to curb pollution and protect open spaces for a healthy future for her five-year-old. She continues to consider herself a public servant, not a politician, unlike incumbent Chris Smith. After 45 years, she feels he has had time and a half to make positive changes for the community. Peace believes he should step aside for a new generation of leadership to propose “A Better Way” than “the way things have always been.” The founder of Hyperfocused Communications, Peace, launched her business in 2022 and offers media relations and content marketing to founders, nonprofits, and startups. Earlier in her career, she had a hand in NYC Broadway Week, drawing on her theatrical roots planted at Brick Memorial H.S. Rachel earned her BA in Public Relations from Hofstra University in 2014, double minoring in Drama & Sociology.
Towns: Avon-By-The-Sea, Belmar, Brielle, Colts Neck Township, Eatontown, Farmingdale, Freehold Township (part; also 3rd), Howell Township, Lake Como, Manasquan, Middletown Township (part; also 6th; includes Lincroft, Navesink, and part of Belford, Fairview, North Middletown, and Port Monmouth), Ocean Township, Sea Girt, Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury Township, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, Tinton Falls, Wall Township
To learn more and support Rachel Peace, visit https://www.peace4shore.com/
Congress (CD-3):
*Congressman Herb Conaway
Dr. Herb Conaway is running for Congress to make sure New Jersey’s middle-class families can thrive. Through his work as a doctor, legislator, and neighbor, he understands the needs of New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District. Dr. Conaway knows firsthand the importance of accessible healthcare, including abortion. He has immense experience in counseling patients facing difficult decisions in difficult circumstances. He knows that the government has no place in the exam room. In Congress, he is fighting to protect and make healthcare equitable and affordable for everyone. He’s fighting for safe communities, great public schools, access to good jobs, and a healthy environment.
Towns: Allentown, Englishtown, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township (part; also 4th; includes East Freehold and West Freehold), Holmdel Township, Manalapan Township, Marlboro Township, Millstone Township, Roosevelt, Upper Freehold Township
To learn more and support Congressman Conaway, visit
https://www.herbforcongress.com/
County Surrogate:
Anthony L. Cherry
County Commissioner:
Chelsey Tanner
Dr. Chelsey Tanner is a Neptune native, public servant, fiscal strategist, and mother of five dedicated to advancing accountability and affordability across Monmouth County. After returning home in 2016 following a family tragedy, what began as a personal reset became a public calling to serve and lead in the community that raised her.
With more than 15 years of executive leadership experience, Dr. Tanner has overseen multimillion-dollar budgets, managed over $20 million annually in funding, and advised on asset portfolios exceeding $100 million. She currently serves as Treasurer of the Mercer County Reentry Coalition and holds senior financial leadership roles supporting public safety and community initiatives across New Jersey.
Her work spans cities including Trenton, Newark, and Jersey City, where she has led housing strategy, workforce development, and compliance efforts. As Founder of a Certified Community Housing Development Organization, she promotes redevelopment that prioritizes stability and long-term economic growth.
Dr. Tanner holds a Doctor of Education from Saint Peter’s University. Above all, she loves God and fears God, and her leadership is rooted in faith, servant leadership, transparency, and fiscal integrity as she works to strengthen communities for future generations.
Sofia J. Ugarte
Sofia J. Ugarte is a working mother and community advocate who has called Monmouth County home since 2021 and is running for Monmouth County Commissioner. With professional experience in energy efficiency and program coordination, Sofia has helped residents and businesses lower costs and navigate complex systems.
Bilingual in English and Portuguese and active in her local Democratic community, Sofia is committed to responsible spending, accessible county services, and ethical leadership that puts residents first, not special interests.