South AmboyNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

South Amboy Mayor & City Council Election 2026

2 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 6 candidates running. Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

Not sure who to vote for? Answer 4 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

Find where to voteCheck your registration
Early voting begins (Oct 24): the election office's notice

These links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Voters citywide choose one mayor for a four-year term and up to two candidates for two at-large four-year City Council seats.

Early voting begins · Oct 24

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Also on your Nov 3 ballot

We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.

  • U.S. Senate
    • Cory Booker · Democratic
    • Justin Murphy · Republican
    • Veronica Fernandez · End the Corruption!
    • Joanne Kuniansky · Socialist Workers Party
    Official candidate list, in its order
  • U.S. HouseDistrict 6
Official voter lookupState voter guideVote411 (League of Women Voters)

Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

What the next council decides

01Budget and capital borrowing3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026 budget in April 2026 and adopted a capital bond ordinance in June 2026.

What's on the tableThe next council will set the 2027 budget and decide what projects to borrow for.

02Manhattan Beach redevelopment and PILOT3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council adopted an amended financial agreement with Manhattan Beach Phase 1 Urban Renewal LLC in April 2026.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee the project and any further changes to its tax-exemption (PILOT) terms.

03Affordable housing trust fund3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council approved buying 110 Henry Street with trust fund money in May 2026.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide how the Affordable Housing Trust Fund is spent.

04License plate reader cameras2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council approved buying eleven license plate reader cameras in May 2026.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee police technology spending.

05Data center requests from residents2 sourced facts

Where it standsResidents asked the council in June and August 2026 to adopt an ordinance on large data centers.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether to restrict or ban data centers in South Amboy.

1 note on these statements

As of October 2026, Luis D. Cruz, Michael Gross, Brian H. McLaughlin and Judith Raskoshin had not responded to the VOTE411 candidate questions. VOTE411

No sign-in · answers stay on your phone

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

  1. 1. How should South Amboy pay for major capital improvements?

  2. 2. How should the city handle tax-exemption (PILOT) agreements with developers?

  3. 3. How should the Affordable Housing Trust Fund be used?

  4. 4. How should residents be able to take part in council meetings?

Seat the councilSeat the Council →Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.On the recordHow the council voted8 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.New · How South Amboy is runWho runs South Amboy, and what it costsWho the city manager is, council pay, whether the city is in the red, and where your property tax goes.

Key dates

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Zusette Dato, Larry Lenahan, Thomas B. Reilly2 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

  • The governing body is the Mayor and a five-member City Council, with two members elected at large and three from wards. VOTE411
  • The mayor is elected directly by the voters. VOTE411
  • Members of the governing body serve four-year terms on a staggered basis. VOTE411
  • The mayor and both at-large council seats are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for four-year terms. Middlesex County

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