PARSIPPANY — Morris County Commissioner Tom Mastrangelo has received an endorsement from Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Jamie Barberio for the State Senate race in the 26th district. Mastrangelo is running in the Republican primary against incumbent State Sen. Joseph Pennacchio (R-Montville).
In addition to Mayor Barberio’s endorsement, four members of the Parsippany Township Council have also thrown their support behind Mastrangelo. These council members are Council President Loretta Gragnani, Council Vice President Mike DePierro, Frank Neglia, and Paul Carifi, Jr. Their endorsements further strengthen Mastrangelo’s campaign in the district.
While Mayor Barberio’s support for Tom Mastrangelo has been evident through his appearances in political mail pieces and his behind-the-scenes efforts in promoting the campaign over the past few weeks, his recent announcement serves as the first official public endorsement. The race for the State Senate seat in the 26th district has become contentious, adding to the significance of Barberio’s show of support for Mastrangelo.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio had previously endorsed Jay Webber for State Assembly.
Barberio also endorsed former Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce (R-Parsippany), who is challenging incumbents Jay Webber (R-Morris Plains), Brian Bergen (R-Denville), and Robert Peluso (R-Parsippany) in a bid to reclaim the seat she lost two years ago. There are two seats available.
“She is a member of our community; she knows our people and our issues; she has served the town in various ways, and I know that, if she is elected to the Assembly again, we will have a friend in Trenton who we can count on to help us in meaningful ways,” said Barberio.
In the Morris County Commissioner Race, Incumbent Tayfun Selen (R-Chatham) was also endorsed by Mayor Barberio, Council President Loretta Gragnani, Vice President Michael dePierro, Paul Carifi, Jr., Frank Neglia, Justin Musella, and Parsippany Republican Chair Delores dePierro. Selen is being challenged by Paul DeGroot (R-Montville). DeGroot also challenged Selen in the CD11 in 2022 and won in the Primary but lost to Mikie Sherrill in the General Election. Sherrill ended with 56.7% of the vote, and DeGroot with 42.4%.
