Republican legislative primaries are cropping up all over the map this cycle, and the 26th Legislative District became the latest battleground on Thursday with the long-expected announcement that five-term Morris County Commissioner Tom Mastrangelo would challenge incumbent State Senator Joe Pennacchio.
Pennacchio responded by unloading on his primary rival in what promises to be a bruising, hyper-personal contest.
“Tom Mastrangelo is morally bankrupt and has proven time and time again that there is no line he will not cross in order to further his political career,” said Pennacchio. “Tom’s own colleagues on the Morris County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to file an ethics complaint against him that is still being investigated due to his shady behavior and self-dealing.”
Pennacchio is running on a slate with fellow incumbent Jay Webber and Brian Bergen (who is redeploying in LD26 after redistricting shifted him out of LD25 where he currently serves as Assemblyman).
Mastrangelo has not yet announced his running mates.
“I’m proud of my record as a leader in the conservative movement in New Jersey,” Pennacchio continued. “In fact, I was recently highlighted as the legislator of the year by the New Jersey Family Policy Council for my unwavering commitment to protecting parental rights and ending the outrageous and inappropriate sex-ed curriculum being taught in our schools. I cannot wait to match my record, temperament and character against Tom’s so that the voters of the 26th District can end Tom’s career once-and-for-all.”
