PASCACK VALLEY—Registered Democratic and Republican voters in Pascack Valley will head to the polls June 2 to select party nominees in a limited number of contested congressional and county races, while most local council contests are uncontested.
The primary will help determine which candidates advance to the Nov. 3 General Election.
To vote in the primary, voters must be registered with a political party. Unaffiliated voters may participate by declaring a party at the polls. Those voters may return to unaffiliated status by submitting a form to county election officials after the election.
Candidates seeking to run as independents in November must file by June 2.
Fifth Congressional District
Five-term Democratic U.S. Rep. John Gottheimer, who has served since 2017, is seeking reelection.
Two Republicans—John Aslanian and Sean Kirrane—will face off in the June 2 primary for the chance to challenge him in November.
County races
The Bergen County Surrogate position is open for the first time in nearly three decades following the death of longtime surrogate Michael Dressler in December 2025. The office oversees adoptions, probates wills, and manages estates and guardianships.
Democrat Linda H. Schwager is running unopposed. Republicans Daniel C. Ng and Joseph Stephen Conte will compete in the primary to face her in November.
For county executive, longtime Democratic incumbent James Tedesco III is running unopposed, as is Republican challenger Todd H. Hennessey.
For county clerk, Democratic incumbent John Hogan and Republican Timothy C. Walsh are both running unopposed.
Incumbent Democrats Joan M. Voss and Rafael Marte are unchallenged for two Bergen County commissioner seats. Republicans John Dinice and Maria Soledad Laman are also running unopposed and will face them in the general election.
Mostly uncontested local races
Seven of the eight Pascack Valley towns feature uncontested primary races for local governing body seats. In most cases, both parties have candidates in place for November.
Emerson:
Two-term Mayor Danielle DiPaola is running unopposed in the Republican primary, while Democrat Joseph Solimando III is unopposed on the Democratic side. Both will face off in November.
For two open council seats, Democrats Julia Guttilla and Jose Organ are running unopposed, as are Republican incumbents Michael Timmerman and Ashley Rice.
Hillsdale:
Two seats are open. Republicans Clemente Osso, an incumbent, and Danielle D. Ganter are running unopposed. Ganter is running in place of Mayor John Ruocco, who is not seeking reelection.
Democrats Dena M. Toms and Gabriella A. Ianni are also running unopposed.
Montvale:
Incumbent Republicans Douglas Arendacs and Theresa Cudequest are running unopposed for two seats. No Democratic candidates have filed.
Park Ridge:
Incumbent Republicans Gregory Hoffman and William Fenwick are running unopposed for two seats. Democrats Robert C. Metzdorf and Michael Mintz are also running unopposed.
River Vale:
Republican Mayor Mark Bromberg is running unopposed for his party’s nomination. No Democratic challenger has filed.
Two council seats are open. Incumbent Democrat Denise E. Sieg and incumbent Republican James Tolomeo are running unopposed. No other candidates have filed.
Township of Washington:
No local seats are on the ballot.
Westwood:
Two seats are open. Republican incumbent Lauren Letizia and Beth F. Staples are running unopposed. Democrats Erin M. Collins and Kristian S. Rasmussen are also running unopposed.
Woodcliff Lake:
Republican incumbents Julie B. Brodsky and Joshua S. Stern are running unopposed for two seats. Democrats Aleisia Gibson Wright and Eric Bittman are also running unopposed.
Key dates
The voter registration deadline for the primary is May 12. Sample ballots are scheduled to be mailed May 20.
Early in-person voting will take place May 26 through May 31.
The petition filing deadline for school board candidates is July 27. The deadline for submission of non-binding county and municipal public questions for the Nov. 3 ballot is Aug. 7.