Times Opinion convened a panel
of 11 local leaders to assess the
candidates for the Nov. 4 election.
Oct. 15, 2025
On a scale from 0-10, we asked panelists to rate each candidate’s potential to be a great governor of New Jersey.
New Jersey voters face a critical choice on Nov. 4 when they choose between two very different candidates for governor: Mikie Sherrill, the Democrat, a fourth-term congresswoman and a former Navy helicopter pilot, and her Republican opponent, Jack Ciattarelli, a businessman and a former assemblyman making his third run for governor.
Looming over the race is the specter of President Trump, whose approval rating in New Jersey has eroded, and whether voters punish or reward Mr. Ciattarelli for his alignment with the administration. Along with Virginia, New Jersey’s governor’s race will be the first major barometer of voters’ reaction to the first nine months of Mr. Trump’s leadership in his second term.
For this version of The Choice, Times Opinion convened a panel of 11 voters with a wide range of experience and expertise — from a union leader to a restaurant owner to a social justice worker and others — to assess the candidates and their ability to lead the state. What emerged was a spirited exchange over the candidates’ qualifications that featured sharp disagreements over the role Mr. Trump’s influence should play. “I have a problem with anyone lying down and aligning themselves with Trump,” said one panelist. But our panelists, even those who supported her, said Ms. Sherrill had not fully articulated her vision, leaving them “confused” and wanting more specificity — and moxie. “Now is the time to fight,” said one.
Their conversation and their assessment of the candidates can hopefully provide insight and guidance as New Jersey voters head to the polls next month.
The Choice was prepared by Times Opinion editors using a brief questionnaire and a round-table discussion with all the panelists in mid-September, supplemented by individual conversations. The material has been edited for length and clarity.
Curtis Bashaw Hotel operator in Cape May
The most important challenge dealing with our state is affordability. Democrats, Republicans, independents, males, ladies, younger, previous: Persons are afraid that their youngsters and their grandkids can’t construct a life in our state. I do know lots of people which can be shifting to Florida and Arizona and different states. Lots of our faculty and highschool graduates are leaving — so many individuals — and taking their cash with them.
Arianna L. Czaplicki Student and chair of the Hudson County Young Republicans
I’m in faculty and I’m personally scared I gained’t be capable of purchase a home, be capable of pay for fundamental requirements and plan my life sufficient to the place I gained’t should be working till I’m like 70. It’s a extremely massive worry, not only for me, however with lots of people my age.
Julia Sass Rubin Rutgers University professor
I don’t consider both candidate has a magic capsule for affordability. Their proposed options, nonetheless, can both enhance or worsen the state of affairs. Sherrill is proposing a spread of choices to extend transparency, which is a good suggestion in a state dominated by political machines. Ciattarelli is promising to create an N.J. DOGE, modeled on the disastrous division that has decimated crucial federal features beneath the Trump administration.
Greg Lalevee Engineers union executive
Your common blue-collar employee, our folks, works paycheck to paycheck. Affordability, for my part, comes down to a few buckets. There was an power downside, once we noticed our power costs spike. There’s a housing challenge. And there’s a college funding downside. The folks in Trenton aren’t fixing it.
Jack did serve within the Meeting, is aware of how the method works, is aware of how the sausage is made, if you’ll. And I believe that’s a energy, no matter social gathering affiliation.
Amy Torres Immigration nonprofit executive
We now have an affordability disaster in New Jersey as a result of our leaders have a damaged love affair with company affect.
John J. Vannini Co-owner of Vannini Farms
Affordability is an issue in all places for everyone. It is available in many various methods. Regulation is a part of it. It retains getting worse and worse. Quite a lot of the small or medium-size farms are packing up and promoting their land as a result of they will’t afford to cope with the regulation.
R. Todd Edwards Consultant and N.A.A.C.P official
Transportation in South Jersey can be a significant challenge for us down there. Folks should take the bus line, and there’s no actual hub of trains or subway programs such as you guys have right here within the north. There’s none of that for us within the south.
Marilyn Schlossbach Jersey Shore restaurateur
No option to get right here nor there.
The Rev. Charles Boyer Social justice advocate
For the Black group, it’s extra exacerbated due to the racial wealth hole. Inexpensive housing is a significant challenge, particularly given the historical past of very, very focused predatory lending to Black folks with related credit score scores as white those that worn out huge quantities of wealth from the Black group within the state.
Marilyn Schlossbach Jersey Shore restaurateur
After I have a look at Jack, I’ve an issue with anybody mendacity down and aligning themselves with Trump. As a mother, as a girl, as a group chief, the place will we throw our integrity out the window and our values for politics?
The Rev. Charles Boyer Social justice advocate
I do know what racism appears to be like like after I see it. This MAGA motion is harmful for Black folks.
Whether or not or not the taxes are excessive, all of these items, essential. However what does it matter if somebody opens the door to federal troops in Trenton? For my group, that is life and loss of life.
John J. Vannini Co-owner of Vannini Farms
Most individuals in my space are rural. It’s a conservative space. And so folks suppose that Trump’s going to be a constructive for this space. I imply, personally, I’m an impartial, and I’m sick and uninterested in the partisanship. We’d like a governor and management that’s keen to achieve throughout the aisle and get stuff completed.
Anna Polozzo Former school board member
Jack Ciattarelli is extremely charismatic. However he’s unable to face as much as Trump, unable to face up for what he could understand to be his personal values or his personal prior repute as a comparatively average Republican. And Mikie’s unable to outline herself both in opposition to Trump or in opposition to her personal social gathering.
HyunJu Kwak Asian American community advocate
Attacking Trump is a stale marketing campaign plan. He’s been right here for some time. We tried that in November 2024. It didn’t work. So Trump being unhealthy, reinforcing it louder doesn’t make it more practical. And so I’m involved.
R. Todd Edwards Consultant and N.A.A.C.P official
In southern New Jersey we’ve trailer parks with all of the Trump flags. So I perceive the political canine whistle that Ciattarelli’s doing to get elected, which means going together with MAGA. I’m hoping and I’m praying that he doesn’t line up the way in which he says with the MAGA motion.
Curtis Bashaw Hotel operator in Cape May
It’s essential to verify we’re cleareyed about what the federal authorities can and may’t do in our state. The White Home doesn’t management our property taxes. The White Home doesn’t select our guidelines about faculty funding. Most of New Jersey’s points are managed within the gold dome and by the governor, not the federal authorities.
Julia Sass Rubin Rutgers University professor
Jack Ciattarelli, who was my assemblyman, is a pleasant man. However he’s aligned with Trump in a really tight method, which signifies that all the problems, all of the cuts, all of the issues which can be occurring in Washington which can be going to have a big effect on the state, he successfully is agreeing to.
Amy Torres Immigration nonprofit executive
We consider Arizona, Texas, Florida, California because the immigration states. You need to know the No. 2 state in recent times with the best share of immigrants relative to complete inhabitants? New Jersey. Politicians are blind to range. And once they say persons are leaving, immigrants are folks, too, and have constructed our state.
I disagree that Mikie and Jack differ that a lot on immigration. I believe whenever you have a look at the feedback that she’s made to the Policemen’s Benevolent Affiliation, they’re each really on very related sides of racial justice and policing and mass incarceration points. I believe we’ll both have a Republican governor who could say sure, sure, sure to provide in or to spice up the president’s ego. Or we could have a Democratic governor who claims opposition and says no, no, no in the case of interviews or in the case of adverts however within the tenacity of her insurance policies is somebody I worry could also be roughly aligned with the opposition.However I believe each candidates suppose that it’s too controversial a subject to be particular on. The candidate that speaks greatest to the humanity of the problem is Mikie Sherrill.
HyunJu Kwak Asian American community advocate
On the subject of immigration, Sherrill has been very tender, and she or he has not differentiated herself as starkly sufficient, as a lot as a few of us would really like.
Julia Sass Rubin Rutgers University professor
Assemblyman Ciattarelli has repeatedly stated that if he wins in November, his first government order can be to finish any sanctuary insurance policies, so New Jersey legislation enforcement might be compelled to cooperate with the Trump administration because the masked brokers spherical up our neighbors.
R. Todd Edwards Consultant and N.A.A.C.P official
It positively impacts my space. If there’s a rumor of ICE being in our county, not to mention our city, the highschool is rattling close to naked. They’re scared to loss of life to go to highschool, and our directors can’t say or do something, as a result of they perceive.
However I consider that Jack understands that these youngsters are residents they usually have the appropriate to be right here. And as for the mother and father of the children, I consider Jack understands how invaluable they’re to our financial system, particularly in “true” South Jersey farmland. However he additionally understands the significance and the method of acquiring authorized documentation to have the ability to work and reside right here.
Marilyn Schlossbach Jersey Shore restaurateur
This can be a bipartisan challenge that could be a federal challenge, for positive. However as you stated, we’ve a giant MAGA factor over our head.
HyunJu Kwak Asian American community advocate
The New Jersey governor is among the strongest within the nation, since you get to nominate the lawyer common. That position isn’t elected. It doesn’t seem like Lawyer Common [Matthew] Platkin can be her A.G. And as a former prosecutor, I believe she ought to acknowledge the worth of continuity in authorized challenges. Platkin has gained the help of lots of the progressive flank of the Democratic Occasion. He has accomplished wonders.
The Rev. Charles Boyer Social justice advocate
The candidates are speaking lots a few legislation and order agenda. Right now’s federal civil rights division may give a rattling about Black folks being abused by the police. And your solely stopgap is who your lawyer common is within the state.
A Sherrill administration can be a lot better, not only for coping with crime and public security, however for coping with the basis causes of crime. I’ve come to belief that she can be a far stronger and extra considerate companion on the problems that matter most to Black communities.
Anna Polozzo Former school board member
I shouldn’t have full confidence in Jack in the case of schooling, particularly round constitution faculties. However on the identical time, Mikie hasn’t bothered to return out to my group and say: Hey, what? Because of this I’m higher. We’ve not seen her.
Julia Sass Rubin Rutgers University professor
I’m very involved concerning the push for vouchers to take public {dollars} out of our faculties and put them into personal and non secular faculties, which Assemblyman Ciattarelli helps. Consultant Sherrill opposes publicly funded vouchers for personal and non secular schooling, that are devastating public faculties in different states.
R. Todd Edwards Consultant and N.A.A.C.P official
We now have so many openings for lecturers in our district, and lots of them are Spanish-speaking openings, as a result of there’s not sufficient bilingual lecturers. It’s a problem. I believe the reply is consolidation.
The Rev. Charles Boyer Social justice advocate
Wealth is concentrated, and so is poverty — exacerbated in a spot like Trenton. On prime of that, we’ve a federal authorities that at all times threatens to chop funding to locations like Trenton if we dare say “Black” within the classroom. So I simply needed to place that on the desk.
Curtis Bashaw Hotel operator in Cape May
I run accommodations, and I don’t spend my time lobbying the city to not enable any extra accommodations. I deal with tips on how to make my lodge higher. Jack’s view of that type of competitors may assist our public faculties.
R. Todd Edwards Consultant and N.A.A.C.P official
I consider Jack’s enterprise background and skill to construct relationships with everybody places him forward of Mikie with with the ability to lead our state in the appropriate route financially.
Julia Sass Rubin Rutgers University professor
Jack’s stated that he’s going to chop the state funds by 30 %. Our 2026 state funds is $58.8 billion. That’s virtually $18 billion. You possibly can’t reduce 30 %.
To cut back spending by 30 %, you’ll most likely want to chop faculty funding, reduce municipal support, reduce pension contributions or reduce an entire bunch of packages to assist these most in want with drugs and meals and housing. At a time when the federal authorities is chopping funding for well being care, schooling, meals stamps, housing and a lot extra, the state must step as much as defend N.J. residents, not reduce additional.
Curtis Bashaw Hotel operator in Cape May
Does that imply we shouldn’t strive?
New Jersey governor is among the hardest jobs coming into the fiscal state of affairs that our state faces. And also you desire a chief that may really go right into a room and determine it out. I don’t suppose she’s certified to try this.I belief a businessperson as a result of I’m one. My staff will say: Oh, nicely, we will’t reduce bills with out chopping companies. Companies do that on a regular basis. It’s a straw man to fake just like the bills are fastened. We’re going to be broke as a state if we don’t make modifications. And of the 2 decisions on the market, Jack is a voice of change, frequent sense, and less of the identical.
Amy Torres Immigration nonprofit executive
Right here’s two issues that I’ve heard at the moment that I need to maintain collectively. One is that Jack is a champion for change, however I’ve additionally heard that he’s not pushing again sufficient towards the Trump administration. I can’t reconcile it. I can’t reconcile how Jack will be for change if he says that he desires to arrange a New Jersey DOGE the identical method the federal authorities did. And we’ve seen how that’s fallen aside.
Curtis Bashaw Hotel operator in Cape May
A few of us could be tempted to make use of our vote to make a nationwide assertion to repudiate Trump. And I don’t know if that’s the appropriate use of my vote, as a result of I actually consider that New Jersey is at an edge the place we’ve to begin to make options, as a result of the spigot’s opening and persons are leaving.
R. Todd Edwards Consultant and N.A.A.C.P official
Jack traveled the whole state quite a few instances, constructing true relationships and partnerships. He has proven South Jersey actual consideration throughout his marketing campaign path. I really feel that he didn’t take us, a smaller voting bloc, without any consideration like Mikie did. She stayed the place the lots are: northern New Jersey.
Anna Polozzo Former school board member
Don’t inform me who you might be and what you’re going to do for me. Present me. Jack has proven me that he’s a average over a interval of years. He’s a Jersey man, and he’s been out locally. He’s been there lengthy earlier than this race. And Mikie doesn’t vote. It’s so essential that you simply vote on the issues which can be put in entrance of you.
Arianna L. Czaplicki Student and chair of the Hudson County Young Republicans
Ciattarelli has been a enterprise proprietor. I reside in Jersey Metropolis, so I see folks each single day beginning their very own companies, figuring issues out. And you may simply inform from the way in which that he speaks and the way in which that he’s keen to struggle for what we’d like.
HyunJu Kwak Asian American community advocate
From the progressive perspective, we are going to help her, however we’re asking for coverage actions and to match the individual to your slogan. You’re going to be a fighter. That is the time to struggle.
I’m going again to the two-thirds who didn’t vote for her within the major. The hope was: You don’t have a mandate, so don’t take the remaining without any consideration. Hear, have interaction, and possibly supply some coverage pivots.
Greg Lalevee Engineers union executive
I believe you’re lacking two issues there, although. She has missed so lots of her votes in the previous couple of months. So who the heck is she is a legit query. When she’s made public appearances to the enterprise group, who invite each candidates in, to the constructing trades at our conference, she walks in with a script. I simply suppose she will be able to’t outline herself.
Amy Torres Immigration nonprofit executive
Sure, I don’t disagree together with her lack of ability to look genuine.
Arianna L. Czaplicki Student and chair of the Hudson County Young Republicans
Yep.
John J. Vannini Co-owner of Vannini Farms
I don’t need to see every candidate simply rubber-stamping their social gathering. I’d prefer to see just a little bit extra governing, what they’re keen to do to control for the state and for each side.
Mr. Ciattarelli, he’s bought an excellent plan, and it’s extra detailed. Mikie Sherrill, it’s very obscure and lots of clichés. I attempt to give her a good shake and go on her web site and get some info. And I simply actually — I’m nonetheless left just a little, I suppose, confused.
The Rev. Charles Boyer Social justice advocate
I do know who Sherrill is surrounding herself with. I do know her coverage folks. All of their insurance policies align with the insurance policies that we advocate for. However she additionally must be stronger.
Greg Lalevee Engineers union executive
Irrespective of who wins this factor, you’ve bought to make the trains run. And Mr. Ciattarelli has a radical understanding. And it exhibits when he comes out and speaks to folks and has very particular insurance policies. And I’m very involved that [Sherrill] wins the election and turns into the canine who caught the mail truck and has no concept what’s going to occur subsequent.
Marilyn Schlossbach Jersey Shore restaurateur
As a small enterprise proprietor, I worth leaders who perceive actual world challenges and deal with outcomes, not rhetoric. Throughout the Covid interval, Mikie Sherrill publicly supported aid measures. In 2021 she voted in favor of the American Rescue Plan Act, which included funding to assist small companies, amongst different aid. She brings self-discipline, integrity and the power to guide beneath strain.
Curtis Bashaw Hotel operator in Cape May
I’m 100% Jack. Jack is driving on the bottom. He’s not taking a 30,000-foot view. He can articulate his insurance policies. Mikie is tough to get solutions from.
Julia Sass Rubin Rutgers University professor
As President Biden likes to say, “Don’t examine me to the almighty. Evaluate me to the choice.” So I’ve contrasted Sherrill’s positions with these of Ciattarelli. In spite of everything, an election is a selection, and there isn’t a single challenge on which I desire Assemblyman Ciattarelli’s proposals to Consultant Sherrill’s.
About our panel These 11 voters assessed the candidates independently, as individual voters, not on behalf of their organizations. Some panelists made donations to candidates; that information is disclosed in their biographies.
Greg Lalevee is a business manager and an executive board member at the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825, a labor union of about 8,000 machine operators, mechanics and surveyors in New Jersey and New York’s Hudson Valley region. He previously worked as a crane operator in Secaucus. He has served on the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority since 2010 and was previously vice chair.
Julia Sass Rubin is a professor at the School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. She served as an expert witness in a lawsuit that changed the primary ballot system, which previously was controlled by a small group of county chairs. She advised the Small Business Administration and the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority and is also a co-founder of Save Our Schools N.J., an education group.
Anna Polozzo is a former member of the Toms River Regional Schools Board of Education who represented the Borough of South Toms River from 2019 to 2024. She advocated better funding for schools and making kindergarten education mandatory and accessible. Both of her daughters graduated from public schools in the district.
HyunJu Kwak is a former member of the Ridgewood Board of Education, where she helped navigate contracts with the teachers’ union and reopening schools during the pandemic. She has worked in management consulting, media and financial services. She also co-founded the Ridgewood Lunar Festival and the Ridgewood Asian American Pacific Islander Alliance.
R. Todd Edwards is an independent consultant and the political action chairman of New Jersey’s N.A.A.C.P. State Conference who works with elected officials in the state to advance legislation around racial justice and equity. He served two terms as the president of the Bridgeton Board of Education and is a former Democratic chair of the city’s Democratic Party. He was born and raised in South Jersey, where his family owns a funeral home. In 2006 he ran unsuccessfully for a seat in Bridgeton’s City Council.
He contributed $500 to Jack Ciattarelli’s campaign.
Marilyn Schlossbach is a restaurateur, a chef, a cookbook author and the founder of Food for Thought by the Sea, a nonprofit that supports Monmouth County’s youth population. She has founded multiple restaurants in Asbury Park on the Jersey Shore. She is a former chair of the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association. A Jersey Shore native, she also partners with and raises money for environmental organizations dedicated to the protection of marine environments.
The Rev. Dr. Charles Boyer is a third-generation A.M.E. preacher and the pastor of Greater Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Trenton. In 2018 he co-founded Salvation and Social Justice, a faith-rooted social justice organization in Trenton. He led a campaign during the Covid-19 pandemic to secure the release of about 9,000 people from prisons. He lives in Pennsylvania but has spent his entire professional career working in New Jersey.
Amy Torres is the executive director of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, the state’s largest immigration coalition. Her advocacy led to the passage of a New Jersey law in 2021 that banned private companies and state and local governments from renewing or creating new contracts with ICE. Ms. Torres was previously the director of policy and advocacy at the Chinese-American Planning Council, which works on behalf of New York’s immigrant communities.
Curtis Bashaw operates seven hotels in Cape May with a focus on restoring historical buildings, including Cape May’s Congress Hall. He advocates small business and tourism growth on the Jersey Shore. During a brief term as the executive director of Atlantic City’s Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, he oversaw a $100 million boardwalk revitalization fund that issued guidelines for restoration. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Robert Menendez in 2024.
He made two contributions of $5,800 to Jack Ciattarelli’s campaign.
John J. Vannini is the manager and a co-owner of Vannini Farms in Vineland in South Jersey, which his family founded in 1909. He served as the president of the Atlantic County Board of Agriculture from 2019 to 2023, coordinating with legislators and farmers to promote agricultural interests in the state. He was also a member of the New Jersey Farm Bureau, a lobbying group that promotes agricultural interests.
Arianna L. Czaplicki is a junior at Montclair State University majoring in communications and media studies. She was recently elected chair of the Hudson County Young Republicans, where she organizes events and campaigns. She also served as an intern for the Democratic senator Cory Booker. Ms. Czaplicki is interested in working with both political parties, and hopes to have a career in political commentary or in broadcast news.
About our panel
These 11 voters assessed the candidates independently, as particular person voters, not on behalf of their organizations. Some panelists made donations to candidates; that info is disclosed of their biographies.
Curtis Bashaw operates seven hotels in Cape May with a focus on restoring historical buildings, including Cape May’s Congress Hall. He advocates small business and tourism growth on the Jersey Shore. During a brief term as the executive director of Atlantic City’s Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, he oversaw a $100 million boardwalk revitalization fund that issued guidelines for restoration. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Robert Menendez in 2024.
He made two contributions of $5,800 to Jack Ciattarelli’s campaign.
The Rev. Dr. Charles Boyer is a third-generation A.M.E. preacher and the pastor of Greater Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Trenton. In 2018 he co-founded Salvation and Social Justice, a faith-rooted social justice organization in Trenton. He led a campaign during the Covid-19 pandemic to secure the release of about 9,000 people from prisons. He lives in Pennsylvania but has spent his entire professional career working in New Jersey.
Arianna L. Czaplicki is a junior at Montclair State University majoring in communications and media studies. She was recently elected chair of the Hudson County Young Republicans, where she organizes events and campaigns. She also served as an intern for the Democratic senator Cory Booker. Ms. Czaplicki is interested in working with both political parties, and hopes to have a career in political commentary or in broadcast news.
R. Todd Edwards is an independent consultant and the political action chairman of New Jersey’s N.A.A.C.P. State Conference who works with elected officials in the state to advance legislation around racial justice and equity. He served two terms as the president of the Bridgeton Board of Education and is a former Democratic chair of the city’s Democratic Party. He was born and raised in South Jersey, where his family owns a funeral home. In 2006 he ran unsuccessfully for a seat in Bridgeton’s City Council.
He contributed $500 to Jack Ciattarelli’s campaign.
HyunJu Kwak is a former member of the Ridgewood Board of Education, where she helped navigate contracts with the teachers’ union and reopening schools during the pandemic. She has worked in management consulting, media and financial services. She also co-founded the Ridgewood Lunar Festival and the Ridgewood Asian American Pacific Islander Alliance.
Greg Lalevee is a business manager and an executive board member at the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825, a labor union of about 8,000 machine operators, mechanics and surveyors in New Jersey and New York’s Hudson Valley region. He previously worked as a crane operator in Secaucus. He has served on the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority since 2010 and was previously vice chair.
Anna Polozzo is a former member of the Toms River Regional Schools Board of Education who represented the Borough of South Toms River from 2019 to 2024. She advocated better funding for schools and making kindergarten education mandatory and accessible. Both of her daughters graduated from public schools in the district.
Julia Sass Rubin is a professor at the School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. She served as an expert witness in a lawsuit that changed the primary ballot system, which previously was controlled by a small group of county chairs. She advised the Small Business Administration and the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority and is also a co-founder of Save Our Schools N.J., an education group.
Marilyn Schlossbach is a restaurateur, a chef, a cookbook author and the founder of Food for Thought by the Sea, a nonprofit that supports Monmouth County’s youth population. She has founded multiple restaurants in Asbury Park on the Jersey Shore. She is a former chair of the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association. A Jersey Shore native, she also partners with and raises money for environmental organizations dedicated to the protection of marine environments.
Amy Torres is the executive director of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, the state’s largest immigration coalition. Her advocacy led to the passage of a New Jersey law in 2021 that banned private companies and state and local governments from renewing or creating new contracts with ICE. Ms. Torres was previously the director of policy and advocacy at the Chinese-American Planning Council, which works on behalf of New York’s immigrant communities.
John J. Vannini is the manager and a co-owner of Vannini Farms in Vineland in South Jersey, which his family founded in 1909. He served as the president of the Atlantic County Board of Agriculture from 2019 to 2023, coordinating with legislators and farmers to promote agricultural interests in the state. He was also a member of the New Jersey Farm Bureau, a lobbying group that promotes agricultural interests.
