In 2018 New Jersey Republicans lost four Congressional seats to Democrats. The most dramatic
being Tom Malinowski’s victory over longtime Congressman Lenard Lance in the 7th
Congressional District – a district where registered Republicans outnumber Democrats.

Though Hunterdon County still went in Lance’s favor, a group of millennials in the traditional
Republican stronghold did not want to see their County go the way of other former Republican
counties in New Jersey. The Hunterdon County Young Republicans (HCYR) wished to lay the
groundwork where Republicans across New Jersey can look at Hunterdon County as a path
forward out of the political wilderness.

The Hunterdon County Republican Committee (HCRC), seeing the need to strengthen the
Republican party in Hunterdon, hired Andrew Russano, a fellow Hunterdon Young Republican,
for his experience in organizing many successful down-ballot races in the County as HCRC
Executive Director.

Russano wanting to resurrect the dormant HCYR, approached Alexandra Zeng of East Amwell
and Vincent Panico of Readington to serve as President and Vice President of the HCYR
respectfully. Quickly, the HCYR increased its membership, started a sister organization at the
largest high school in the County, Hunterdon Central, and began hosting events. The first major
event was a Republican Family Fun Night at the Somerset Patriots in partnership with the
Somerset County YRs and the Federation of Republican Women clubs of Hunterdon and
Somerset counties. The event was wildly successful. Besides a slew of local officials and
candidates in attendance, prominent New Jersey Republicans showed up, including Doug
Steinhardt, Chair of the NJ GOP and Tom Kean Jr., State Senate Minority Leader and 2020
Congressional Candidate for NJ-7.

The HCYR also has two members on the ballot this November, Mayor Zach Rich and Ross
Traphagen. Rich, the current Mayor of West Amwell, is running for Board of Chosen
Freeholders this Fall, along with incumbent Freeholder John Lanza. Traphagen, an economic
development professional who works with the Hunterdon County Office of Economic
Development, is seeking a spot on the Democratic-leaning Clinton Town Council.
The HCYR is working closely with the HCRC and local candidates in organizing meet-and-greets,
canvasing doors, vote-by-mail operations, and GOTV efforts.

To learn more about the HCYR see their Facebook page