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New Jersey Assembly District 25 {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

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    Christian E. Barranco
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Aura K. Dunn
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Steven Pylypchuk
    (Dem)

  • Candidate picture

    Marisa Sweeney
    (Dem)

Biographical Information

What are the most pressing challenges facing New Jersey in 2025, and how do you propose to address them?

What reforms do you support to improve New Jersey’s democracy?

How do you plan to strengthen and support New Jersey’s economy?

What steps, if any, will you take to ensure equitable funding and support for public education?

What immigration policies do you support?

Campaign Email asmbarranco@gmail.com
Campaign phone 973-897-1873
Campaign Address P.O. Box 642, Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849
Twitter @@CBarrancoNJ
Website www.christianbarranco.org
Affordability has been the primary concern for New Jerseyans for a long time now. The reason affordability has become an intractable problem in NJ is due to the size of our State government. Our State's annual budget is nearing $60 billion dollars and it has caused the private-sector to abandon any hope of operating profitably in our State. The governments of NJ have succeeded in making themselves "the only game in town" and we cannot all work for the government. We need to strike a balance between serving the people with an effective government and leaving enough room for private investors to come here and realize profit margins that promote further investment and growth in our private-sector economy. It can be done but government programs are not the answer. We need to free up private-sector employers to return to NJ and get people working again in industries that create growth. Increasing public-sector employment does not create growth it creates public debt.
Transparency. Not the type of transparency that politicians harp on over and over again. In this country, the government works for the people not the other way around. Our problem with transparency is endemic. We need transparency from the State level all the way down to our Town and Borough Councils. In NJ there are entirely too many people that get involved with public office for the financial benefit that it brings them. The people need to be made aware of how the elected benefit and the true reason why some people decide to run for office. Also, we need greater participation from the public in our governmental processes. There are far too many things that get decided privately and that needs to be reformed.
Reduce taxes, now! Let the private-sector economy operate without having to worry about leakage created by this or that government program. If investors and entrepreneurs need to continually calculate their losses due to government programs they will not operate here. Our State budget is bloated and we collect more revenue than we need.
S2 needs to be reformulated, immediately. Redirect funds collected for failing or outdated governmental programs and appropriate them to education.
I happen to be the only Hispanic, bilingual by the way, in the Republican Caucus in Trenton. I am the first-generation child of a mother from Argentina and a father who escaped Cuba. My parents came to this country in the 1960's because of governments in their respective countries that were an abject failure. In some cases, repressive to the point of killing people who disagreed with them. Being an American is a great privilege to me and I will always defend my nation's sovereign right to defend its borders and define itself from within. I'm reminded of what a great leader once said. "There are too many people that believe that there is something sophisticated about believing the best of those who hate our country and the worst of those who defend it". I don't suffer from that problem.
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Campaign phone 9736326911
Campaign Address 16 Bank Street, Morristown, NJ
Website steveandmarisa25.com
New Jersey families are struggling with affordability, rising energy costs, infrastructure failures, and distrust in government. As a civil engineer and father, I see these challenges every day. We face crumbling roads and bridges, rising property taxes, and a lack of long-term planning. I will push for real investment in infrastructure, expand affordable housing, and demand transparency in how state dollars are spent. We need upstream solutions that save money over time, like modernizing stormwater systems before floods happen or stabilizing school aid before cuts devastate classrooms. By combining engineering know-how with public service, I will fight for practical fixes that put families first. New Jersey cannot afford delay. The incumbents only vote to block progress while offering no solutions. We need leaders who deliver.
Our democracy works best when everyone has a fair voice. I support automatic and same-day voter registration, expanded early voting, and secure mail-in ballots so no one has to jump hurdles to cast a vote. I back campaign finance reform to limit the power of big donors and ensure decisions reflect the public interest. At the local level, I have pushed for open budget hearings and proactive outreach to make government more transparent and accountable. We should also strengthen civic education so young people grow up ready to participate fully. By breaking down barriers and insisting on transparency, we can restore trust in government and ensure every New Jerseyan has real input in the decisions that affect their lives.
We build a stronger economy by investing in people, not just corporate profits. I support apprenticeships and career training that connect workers to well-paying jobs, along with affordable childcare so parents can stay in the workforce. I will fight for tax fairness by requiring large corporations to contribute more so small businesses and middle-class families do not carry the burden. We must also tackle rising costs, including energy prices that have spiked more than 20 percent this summer, by investing in cleaner, more reliable energy. I support expanding housing options near job centers because high rents and long commutes hold us back. We need a unified transit strategy that reduces congestion, creates economic hubs, and helps local businesses thrive. As a civil engineer, I have managed major projects that stimulate growth and create jobs, and I will bring that practical experience to the table to keep New Jersey’s economy strong.
Every child in New Jersey deserves a top-quality education, regardless of zip code or family income. Our funding formula has not been updated since 2008, even as costs for health care, transportation, and special education have risen. Governor Murphy recently signed three landmark bills to codify preschool funding, expand state support, and require every district to offer free, full-day kindergarten by 2030. I will build on that progress by stabilizing state aid so districts are not blindsided by cuts, raising surplus caps so schools can save responsibly, and fully funding special education with a predictable system. As a parent, I know how a well-resourced school can transform a child’s future. We should also expand technical and vocational programs that prepare students for the good jobs of tomorrow. Education is the best investment we can make in our shared future, and we must ensure it reaches every community.
As the child of an immigrant, I know how much immigrants add to the character and strength of our state. I support policies that expand access to healthcare, education, and legal pathways to citizenship, because families who come here to build better lives deserve a fair shot. I oppose fear-based policies that tear families apart or push people into the shadows. As a Morristown Councilman, I voted to support the Immigrant Trust Act because safety depends on trust between communities and local government. Welcoming immigrants means creating opportunities to open businesses, excel in our schools, and contribute to strong neighborhoods. By investing in language programs, job support, and integration, we empower new New Jerseyans to thrive. We all benefit when our neighbors feel safe and can fully participate in the economy. I will fight for a more inclusive, compassionate, and fair approach to immigration, because that is who we are as a state.
Campaign Email marisa@bewellihs.com
Campaign phone 7327730215
Campaign Address 16 Bank Street
Website steveandmarisa25.com
We are facing rising costs of living, a strained transportation system, and threats from climate change. We must push for affordable housing, improve public transit, and expand clean energy solutions. By supporting progressive policies like rent control, investing in green infrastructure, and ensuring better transit access, we can create a sustainable future. It’s essential to prioritize the needs of working families and ensure that opportunity is within reach for everyone. We need to break free from corporate influence and build a state where prosperity isn’t just for the few but for every New Jerseyan.
New Jersey’s democracy should serve all people. I support expanding early voting, implementing automatic voter registration, and restoring voting rights to all eligible citizens. Ending gerrymandering will ensure fair representation for all communities. We need greater transparency and accountability within our government so that our system is truly by the people, for the people. When citizens have access to the ballot and trust that their voices are heard, our democracy becomes stronger, more inclusive, and more effective.
To strengthen New Jersey’s economy we must focus on creating jobs that pay well and support working families. That means having a livable minimum wage, offering tax incentives to small businesses, and investing in green tech and clean energy industries. Job training programs for emerging sectors are crucial to ensuring our workforce can meet the demands of a changing economy. By protecting workers' rights and creating sustainable, high-wage job opportunities, we’ll make New Jersey a place where prosperity is shared by all, not just the wealthy few.
Every child in New Jersey deserves access to a high-quality education, no matter where they live. I will fight to fully fund our public schools, ensuring that districts in underserved communities get the resources they need. This includes pushing for more equitable funding formulas and investing in teacher salaries. It’s crucial to expand access to after-school programs and vocational training so that students have a well-rounded education. Our future depends on the success of our young people, and we must ensure they have every opportunity to succeed.
I believe in fair, humane immigration policies that uphold the values of equality and opportunity. I support the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act (S3672/A4987), which strengthens protections for immigrants interacting with state and local authorities. This law ensures individuals can seek public services without the fear of deportation. Additionally, I support comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level, including pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who contribute to their communities. Immigrants are an integral part of our state’s success, and I will fight to protect their rights and dignity.