Congressional Candidate Adrian O. Mapp calls for three-point

                                    reform plan for county Democratic committees

NEW JERSEY (MARCH 10, 2026) – Congressional Candidate Adrian O. Mapp (NJ - CD 12) is calling for New Jersey’s county Democratic committees to adopt his three-point plan to reform the process by which those organizations select and endorse candidates. He referred to the end of the party line as an opportunity to modernize and examine another piece of New Jersey’s political culture.

“I’m urging us to open the door to a more competitive and democratic process where legislators are elected by the masses, not selected by an elite few,” Mapp said in a Facebook post announcing his proposal for reform. “The age when New Jersey Democratic organizations could place their preferred candidates on the ballot, often determining the outcome of primary elections before the voters could have their say, ended with the abolishment of the party line.”

Noting he is a chair of a county committee himself, Mapp stated that “Throughout New Jersey, county committees make decisions through inconsistent processes, which are often opaque, complex or made by insiders. Some committees have limited opportunities to hear from candidates. In others, endorsements are made without full committee input.”

He added that committees have a positive and necessary role in helping voters to learn about candidates as he called for three reforms to the process:

1. Following the Union County Committee model, nominators and seconders should not be required. All other counties should adopt consistent, transparent candidate forums or hearings where all candidates willing to participate may present their ideas without requiring a nomination.
2. The rules governing endorsements should be clearly published in advance, ensuring that every candidate understands the process and expectations.
3. County committees should provide more inclusive voting procedures, allowing full participation from committee members rather than limiting decisions to small executive groups.

“These changes would not weaken party organizations,” Mapp wrote. “On the contrary, they would strengthen them by making their decisions more legitimate and representative.”

“The elimination of the party line was an important step toward leveling the playing field in New Jersey elections,” Mapp added. “But we have a long journey ahead of us to create a stronger, more inclusive New Jersey for all.”

The complete call for committee reform can be found on Facebook at MAPP4CONGRESS.

ABOUT: Mayor Adrian O. Mapp is seeking the Democratic nomination for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District in the primary election on June 2, 2026. A four-term Mayor of Plainfield, and a certified public accountant by training, Mapp has built a record of measurable results during his more than 12 years leading the city. Under his tenure, Plainfield restored healthcare services to the Muhlenberg campus – now home to the Rutgers behavioral health center and emergency care led by Hackensack Meridian – attracted more than $2 billion in new development without displacement, and implemented nationally recognized community policing reforms in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. Mapp is a member of the NJ Conference of Mayors, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, among other organizations, and has built relationships across all 32 municipalities of the 12th District.

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