2026 Endorsed Cohort
Following a highly competitive endorsement process, Elect Women NJ is proud to endorse and invest in 99 women representing 20 of New Jersey’s 21 counties, the broadest geographic reach in our organization’s history. Even with our largest applicant pool ever, Elect Women NJ remained true to our mission and stepped up to meet the moment, investing in nearly 80% of the women who applied. As more women step forward to run for office, expanding our investment will allow Elect Women NJ to support even more campaigns and strengthen the future of Democratic leadership across our state.
Below, you’ll meet the women who make up the 2026 Endorsed Cohort, organized by the offices they are seeking. From countywide leadership to municipal government and local school boards, each office plays an important role in shaping stronger communities and building New Jersey’s pipeline of women leaders.
Countywide Offices
Countywide offices serve residents across an entire county and play a vital role in local government. Together, County Commissioners, County Clerks, and Surrogates oversee essential public services, elections, records, and programs that affect residents every day.
County Commissioners
County Commissioners oversee county government, manage public resources, and make decisions that affect the daily lives of residents. Their leadership influences everything from infrastructure and economic development to essential county services. Elect Women NJ is proud to endorse nine women seeking County Commissioner offices across New Jersey.
County Clerk
County Clerks play a vital role in local government by safeguarding elections, preserving public records, and ensuring essential government services are accessible to residents. Their leadership helps promote transparency, accountability, and confidence in the democratic process. Elect Women NJ is proud to endorse three women seeking County Clerk offices across New Jersey.
County Surrogate
County Surrogates serve families by overseeing matters related to wills, estates, guardianships, and adoptions. Their work helps ensure that some of life’s most important legal and personal transitions are handled with fairness, compassion, and integrity. Elect Women NJ is proud to endorse three women seeking County Surrogate offices across New Jersey.
Mayors
Mayors provide executive leadership for their municipalities, setting priorities, managing local government, and shaping the future of their communities. Yet women currently hold just 20% of New Jersey’s mayoralties. This year, Elect Women NJ is proud to endorse and invest in a record 10 women seeking mayoral office, reflecting our commitment to expanding women’s representation in executive leadership across New Jersey.
Township Committee
Township Committee members are often the most accessible elected officials in local government, working closely with residents to address neighborhood concerns, shape municipal priorities, and build consensus on the issues that matter most. For many women, these seats represent an important first step into public service and a pathway to future leadership. Elect Women NJ is proud to endorse and invest in 20 women seeking Township Committee seats across New Jersey, strengthening the pipeline of Democratic women leaders one community at a time.
Council
Council members help shape the future of their municipalities by establishing local policy, approving budgets, guiding redevelopment, and ensuring essential public services meet the needs of residents. As Elect Women NJ’s largest office category in 2026, these races reflect the growing momentum of women stepping forward to seek local office. With 60 challengers and open-seat candidates in this year’s endorsed cohort, women are not only serving their communities, they are building the next generation of Democratic leadership across New Jersey.
Board of Education
Board of Education members help shape the future by setting educational priorities, overseeing school district budgets, and working to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed. Strong school boards strengthen communities, support families, and invest in the next generation of leaders. Elect Women NJ is proud to endorse and invest in three women seeking Board of Education seats across New Jersey.
