JEFFERSON - Drive around this town and the signs are everywhere - or at least mostly everywhere.

Some are for Mayor Eric Wilsusen; others for challenger Christian Barranco, whose slogan is "Save Jefferson."

Barranco is a former state Assemblyman from District 25, who lost his seat last fall. Now he's running for mayor against Wilsusen in the June 2 Republican primary.

As is common for politico types - even when they are not running - attending Memorial Day ceremonies is imperative.

So there was Wilsusen shortly before 11 a.m. Monday shaping up for the township's annual parade off of Espanong Road.

He said that Barranco, his opponent, does nothing but attack.

There's no doubt Barranco is on the offense. His campaign's social media page rails against "Rising property taxes. Lack of transparency. Unaccountable spending."

Wilsusen said "word on the street" is that the attacks are not working. He said voters don't like constant attacks when it comes to town politics.

After the parade, the mayor journeyed across town (no simple chore in rural Jefferson) to noon ceremonies at the Oak Ridge American Legion.

Barranco was there as well.

And he scoffed at the mayor's comments about negativity "I'm not going negative," he said. "I'm stating facts. You can take that fact and construe it for what you wish."

Barranco said the town has to change so that residents can afford to stay and others can afford to move in.

Morris County has become much more competitive of late, but not this town. It remains solidly Republican. No Democrat filed to run for mayor, so the primary is it.

The county's Republican Committee is endorsing Wilsusen.

But Barranco is not without some "official" backing.

He has Assemblyman Jay Webber, who serves in nearby District 26, in his corner.

That prompted Wilsusen to crack that the two legislators who served with Barranco in District 25, Sen. Anthony Bucco and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, have not endorsed him.