Barbera Joins Republican Race for Governor, Criticizes Current Leadership

New Jersey -- The most recent addition to the Republican race for New Jersey governor is Justin Barbera, a Burlington County contractor and staunch conservative. At 44, Barbera joins a competitive field of GOP candidates vying for their party’s nomination in the June 10 primary. Barbera says his decision to run stems from frustration with state lawmakers, claiming New Jersey residents are heavily taxed without seeing sufficient returns. He is a Trump supporter and emphasizes his Christian faith and military background as central to his values. Education is a major focus for Barbera, who is critical of what he describes as the growing reliance on artificial intelligence and digital tools in schools. He believes children are not being taught to think critically or solve problems independently. He also advocates for parental control over decisions regarding their children’s education and opposes what he sees as the promotion of progressive gender views in schools. In addition to education, Barbera’s platform includes protecting gun rights and increasing government accountability, particularly regarding corruption and the mismanagement of public funds. He is confident that a Republican will win the governorship in the November election, citing a historical pattern of New Jersey shifting between parties. This marks Barbera’s second run for public office, after a disappointing bid in the 2023 U.S. House race, where he earned less than 1% of the vote. Other Republican candidates in the race include state Sen. Jon Bramnick, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac, and former radio host Bill Spadea.