MORRISTOWN – The Morris County Democratic Committee is excited to endorse slates of strong candidates who are running for county and state office within Morris County.

“These candidates bring new voices and a fresh perspective to our county and state government. They are focused on issues that matter to residents, and if elected, will work to improve the quality of life here in Morris County,” said Morris County Democratic Committee Chair Amalia Duarte. “We are proud to offer our endorsement and full support!”

Experienced elected official and small businessman, Jonathan Sackett of Rockaway Township is running for a seat as a Morris County Commissioner. Sackett is serving his second term on the Rockaway Township Council and has been the Council President and Vice President. Sackett has lived in Rockaway Township nearly his entire life, attending the local public schools. He is a graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in economics and accounting. He is an account executive with a paint company and the small business owner of a martial arts school. As a dad of four, Sackett has been a volunteer coach for soccer, flag-football, football, basketball and baseball. Among other volunteer activities, he was on the education committee at Adath Shalom synagogue in Morris Plains.

Caroline O’Brien of Montville is running for Morris County Clerk. O’Brien serves as secretary for the Morris County Young Democrats and brings the fresh perspective of the upcoming generation of residents in Morris County. She is a graduate of Southern Oregon University with an interdisciplinary degree in Environmental Science, Policy, Business and Communications. She got her first taste of politics at the age of 5, when she traveled to Trenton to lobby for legislation to stop buses from idling in front of schools. A former EMT, Carrie runs her own small business, where she is committed to offering excellent customer service. She is excited for an opportunity serve the residents of Morris County.

The team of Christine Clarke, Dr. Jonathan Torres and Diane Salvatore are seeking to represent state Legislative District 25. Clarke of Jefferson is an environmental activist, grassroots organizer and mother-of-four running to build the clean energy economy, improve healthcare, protect clean air and water and lead with empathy and common-sense fiscal responsibility. Dr. Torres of Randolph is an award-winning family medicine physician and physician educator; a dedicated Scouts BSA leader; and father-of-two. Torres works in the Department of Family Medicine at Morristown Medical Center and founded the osteopathic neuromusculoskeletal medicine residency program in 2016. He also oversaw a COVID-19 unit during the pandemic in 2020. Salvatore of Madison is a magazine and digital journalism professional, and a four-time Editor-in-Chief for national publications, including Consumer Reports.

In Legislative District 24, Edmund Khanoo is vying for the state Senate seat, while Baramdai “Alicia” Sharma is running for Assembly. This husband-and-wife team live in Mount Olive and are both originally from Guyana. Khanoo earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management at the University of Guyana. He is a CPA with a long career as an accounting professional with global expertise. Currently, he is the CFO for Norwescap, a nonprofit organization providing services to more than 30,000 individuals in Hunterdon, Warren, Morris, Somerset and Sussex County. Sharma grew up in a household where her parents struggled financially. Her family relocated to Canada and then the United States. She received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Liberty University and an MBA from the University of Scranton. She works as the Assistant Controller at The Pingry School. She volunteers as a trustee on the Mount Olive Library Board; on the Environmental Commission and on the board of her Homeowners Association. Together, they have six children.

A multi-generational slate is seeking office in Legislative District 26: Joan Waks of Pequannock is running for Senate, with Assembly candidates, Walter Mielarczyk of Pequannock and John Von Achen of Parsippany. Both Mielarczyk and Von Achen are Eagle Scouts. Waks is a former Wayne Councilwoman and retired attorney. She is an experienced campaigner who ran for both state Senate and Assembly in the 1990s. Von Achen is a supply chain leader of North America for the global operations team of a multi-national company. He serves on the Parsippany Planning Board. Mielarczyk works as a research and development engineering manager. He graduated cum laude from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, with a BS degree in mechanical engineering.

In Legislative District 21, Matt Marino of Bernardsville is seeking a Senate seat, with Elizabeth Graner of Bernards Township and Chris Weber of Springfield running for Assembly. Marino is a former Bernardsville Councilman. He works as a regulatory and compliance manager for a technology company. Weber is a Springfield Township Committeeman and retired Newark police officer. He was first elected to the Township Committee in 2018 and has served as mayor and twice as deputy mayor. Graner is a Rahway public school teacher and local teacher’s union leader and serves as the Bernards Township Democratic Municipal Chairwoman.