Brian Varela Wins Sussex County Democratic Convention With 52% of the Vote, Proving Surging Grassroots Support Across New Jersey

Sussex County, NJ (March 14, 2026) - Brian Varela, the grassroots Democratic candidate for New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, won the Sussex County Democratic Committee convention today, securing the organization's support in his primary race to unseat Republican incumbent Rep. Tom Kean Jr. Varela won with 52% of the vote and a 19% margin of victory in a five-way primary field, earning more votes than the rest of the field combined. The win builds on the campaign's growing momentum and grassroots power with an overwhelming 80+ endorsements, more than any other candidate, showing a campaign that is serious about competing in places Democrats have too often written off.

"I am grateful to the Sussex County Democratic Committee for this endorsement and for their trust," said Varela. "My campaign is laser-focused on reaching and winning every voter in NJ-7, regardless of zipcode. Every county in this district has hardworking people grappling with the burden of rising costs, from housing and groceries to medical bills. Voters are sick of the lame-duck politicians in Washington protecting the powerful instead of them and continuing the dirty cycle of corruption. If elected, I will fight back against this broken system and be a champion for the people of NJ-7, including those in Sussex County. I am proud to have earned their support today, and I look forward to building up our momentum as we head into the next convention.”

"It's no secret why Brian was so successful today, from the beginning, he made clear that he intends to leave no one behind,” said Stanhope Councilman and Sussex County Democratic State Committeeperson, AJ Riccardi. “Too often, those of us in Northwest New Jersey have been forgotten about but Brian was here early and often and most importantly made clear that he cares about our concerns now and will continue to do so once he is elected to Congress."

With Sussex County now on board, the Varela campaign has added substantial organizational support to its diverse coalition of support across the district that already includes Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Andrew Yang, former DNC Chair Tom Perez, and more than 80 other local, state, and national endorsers.

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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 Instagram, Facebook, and X.