NJ Spotlight is sharing election coverage with NJTV News, our sister organization, which invited all candidates to complete a brief survey and record a video message; we have included those for all the candidates who responded.
The 26th District includes 13 communities in Essex, Morris, and Passaic counties: Butler, Fairfield, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Montville, Morris Plains, North Caldwell, Parsippany, Rockaway Township, Verona, West Caldwell, and West Milford.
It is a solidly “red” district, represented for decades by GOP legislators. Republicans account for 35% of registered voters; 26% are Democrats, and most of the rest are unaffiliated.
Both Assembly members are Republicans, and both are seeking re-election: Jay Webber is a lawyer from Morris Plains who was unsuccessful in a congressional bid last year and Betty Lou DeCroce is a Parsippany realtor.
The Democratic candidates are Christine Clarke of Lake Hopatcong and Laura Fortgang of Verona, who was unsuccessful in an Assembly bid in 2017.
ASSEMBLY CANDIDATES
BETTYLOU DeCROCE: REPUBLICAN
(incumbent)
Hometown: Parsippany
Occupation: Real estate agent
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JAY WEBBER: REPUBLICAN (incumbent)
Hometown: Morris Plains
Occupation: Lawye
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CHRISTINE CLARKE: DEMOCRAT
Hometown: Lake Hopatcong
Occupation: Environmental advocate
Top three issues: Advancing renewable energy jobs; protecting clean air and clean water; improving healthcare
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LAURA FORTGANG: DEMOCRAT
Hometown: Verona
Occupation: Executive coach, author, consultant
Top three issues: Health care (including clean air, water, and food); education; taxes
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