Brian is a fighter who has shown he has what it takes to build the broad coalition necessary to beat Tom Kean Jr., and that’s why he’s the strongest candidate for Hunterdon County Democrats" - Jeanie Baker, Democratic Vice Municipal Chair in High Bridge.

Morris County, NJ – Congressional candidate Brian Varela today announced he has received endorsements from 45 Democratic leaders across Hunterdon County, demonstrating growing momentum for his campaign to unseat incumbent Tom Kean Jr. Varela's 45 endorsements in Hunterdon County are more than the rest of the primary field combined. The endorsements span diverse communities throughout the county and come from leaders who answer directly to voters in their communities. They underscore Varela's ability to unite grassroots activists and community leaders around shared priorities in advance of the February 22 County Convention.

The endorsers include elected officials, Democratic municipal chairs and vice chairs and county committee members who cite Varela's commitment to fighting for working families and his proven ability to organize across traditional divides. Specifically, the list includes four elected officials, three Democratic municipal chairs and four vice municipal chairs, as Varela has now been endorsed by seven municipal chairs in Hunterdon County alone which is more than any other candidate.

"Brian is a fighter who has shown he has what it takes to build the broad coalition necessary to beat Tom Kean Jr., and that’s why he’s the strongest candidate for Hunterdon County Democrats," said Jeanie Baker, Democratic Vice Municipal Chair In High Bridge. "He understands that winning this race requires bringing together people from all walks of life who are ready to fight for real change in Washington."

With endorsements now from leaders across all six counties in the district, the only candidate to have reached that milestone, Varela continues to demonstrate his ability to build the grassroots energy needed to defeat Tom Kean Jr. With 45 endorsements in Hunterdon County, he is off to a strong start in a county with an expected approximate 200 voting delegates.

"Brian's track record speaks for itself – he gets results because he knows how to bring people together," said Paul Carluccio, Democratic Municipal Chair in East Amwell Township. "He's a proven fighter who can mobilize the grassroots energy we need to defeat Tom Kean Jr. and actually deliver for working families in Congress."

The endorsements come as Varela continues to build grassroots support across the competitive district, powered by community leaders who answer to voters. Varela's message of creating opportunities, widening the middle class and defending our democracy resonates across traditional political divides. Varela now has over 80 endorsements in total, the most in this race.

"I am proud and honored to receive the support of so many Democratic leaders across Hunterdon County who deliver for their communities," said Varela. "These endorsements reflect what we're seeing throughout our district – people are ready for a fighter who will stand up to corporate power and actually deliver for working families."

The full list of 29 new endorsers include:

Elected Officials and Municipal Chairs:

Al Nardi: Councilmember in East Amwell Township

Curtis Nowell: Councilmember in High Bridge Borough

Cathy Smith: Councilmember in Califon Borough

Cheryl Whitmore: Councilmember in Bloomsbury

Paul Carluccio: Municipal Chair in East Amwell Township

Stu Freedenfeld: Municipal Chair in Kingwood Township

Peggy Navitski: Municipal Chair in Bethlehem Township

Democratic Leaders:

Jeanie Baker: Vice Municipal Chair in High Bridge

Karen Becker: Former Democratic State Committee Person, Raritan

Leslie Bella: Vice Municipal Chair in Kingwood Township

Rebecca Canright: County Committee Member in Bethlehem Township

Barbara Cochrane: County Committee Member in Bethlehem Township

Sean Connaughton: County Committee Member in Raritan Township

William Corboy: County Committee Member in West Amwell Township

Nick Corcodilos: Former Mayor, Clinton Township (R), County Committee Member

Marie Corfield: Vice Municipal Chair in Alexandria Township

Mark Herbert: Vice Municipal Chair in Flemington Borough

Viriyah Hodges: County Committee Member in High Bridge Borough

Michael McGovern: County Committee Member in East Amwell Township

Fred Miller: County Committee Member in Clinton Township

David Norton: County Committee Member in Flemington Borough

Robert Quinlan: County Committee Member in Readington Township, Grassroots Leader

Valerie Sands: President of the East Amwell Democratic Association, County Committee Member in East Amwell Township

Eda Schmalz: County Committee Member in East Amwell Township

Jim Schmalz: County Committee Member in East Amwell Township

Kendra Schroeder: County Committee Member in East Amwell

Khush Singh Pall: Hunterdon County Democratic Executive Committee Member, Raritan Township

Joseph Suozzo: Acting President of High Bridge Democratic Club, County Committee Member in High Bridge Borough

Tim Vorwick: County Committee Member in Readington Township

Varela’s Previous Hunterdon County Endorsements Included:

Elected Officials and Municipal Chairs:

Brandon Arias: Councilmember in Flemington Borough

Susan Engelhardt: Councilmember in Flemington Borough

Trent Levitt: Municipal Chair and Councilmember in Flemington Borough

Jeremy Long: Councilmember in Flemington

Tony Parker: Flemington Council President

Thomas Davis: Municipal Chair in Glen Gardner Borough

Nicholas LaBelle: Municipal Chair in Union Township, Hunterdon County Democratic Executive Committee

Ellen Pehek: Municipal Chair in Hampton Borough

Democratic Leaders:

Deb Bonomi: Former Tewksbury Township Council Candidate

Patricia Campos Medina: Advocacy Leader and Former U.S. Senate Candidate, Hunterdon County

Guy Citron: Former Democratic Nominee for Assembly, LD23

John Dale: Former Mayor of West Amwell (R)

Pauline Jaffe: Former Municipal Chair in Clinton Township

Joey Novick: Former Hunterdon Dems County Chair and Former Councilman, Flemington

Tyler Powell: Former Democratic Nominee for Assembly, LD23

Susan Toczylowski: Former Democratic Nominee for County Commissioner, Hunterdon County

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About Brian Varela

Brian Varela is a 37-year-old first-generation American, small business owner, and father running for Congress in NJ-07. Raised in New Jersey by immigrant parents, Brian put himself through college, helped raise his younger brother, and built one of the fastest-growing companies in America during the COVID crisis. Recognized by Inc. Magazine and NJ Business Magazine for leadership and innovation, Brian brings a real-world perspective to one of the most competitive House races in the nation. Visit www.varelaforcongress.com for more information and follow us on Threads, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X.