This time last year, New Jersey's county conventions were significant events, drawing comparisons to the early presidential contests in Iowa and New Hampshire. The political landscape was charged with then-Rep. Andy Kim challenging first lady Tammy Murphy for Bob Menendez’s Senate seat after his corruption indictment. This contest highlighted the tension between New Jersey’s political machinery and grassroots Democrats, eventually leading to the end of the state's "county line" ballot design, which had previously favored party-backed candidates.
Currently, many candidates in the high-profile gubernatorial race are bypassing these conventions to directly engage with primary voters, sidelining traditional party influences. Julia Sass Rubin, a Rutgers professor whose research contributed to overturning the county line system, commented on this shift: “The fact that so many people are choosing not to go through the process really highlights just how powerful the county line itself is in determining who wins the primary, putting aside all that other stuff.” She added that candidates now feel empowered to continue their campaigns without needing endorsements or being considered favorites by party leaders.
