As LD-18 Voters Lose Their Choices, the Silence Is Deafening
“In case you didn’t know – the NJ Dem political machine filed paperwork over the weekend to get 6 of our assembly candidate challengers thrown off the ballot. They are scared what happens when voters have choices in a primary.”
– Steve Fulop, March 31, 2025
If you live in East Brunswick, Edison, Highland Park, Helmetta, Metuchen, South Plainfield, or South River, this isn’t just a headline. This is a red flag waving right in your face.
David Tingle, one of the only voices in LD-18 offering a fresh perspective and part of Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop’s “Democrats for Change” slate, has had his candidacy challenged by the Democratic establishment. And while other Fulop-backed candidates across the state—like Kevin Ryan (LD-6), Eddie Freeman III (LD-8), and Loretta Rivers (LD-17)—also face challenges, Tingle is the only one who would represent us.
Instead of welcoming the democratic process, it seems the incumbents would rather cancel it.
Tingle’s response? Unshaken.
PLEASE SHARE – THIS ELECTION IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE… TOGETHER WE CAN WIN THIS!
“I’m writing to inform you all that my petition to run for Assembly has been challenged by the incumbents who seem to lack faith in the democratic process. However, this challenge only strengthens my resolve. My promise to the people is that I will not quit. We will continue this fight and run in the general election as an independent. I’ve always been transparent about who I am and my commitment not to be owned by anyone.
I deeply appreciate all the donations and support I’ve received so far. I believe this is just the beginning, and our movement will only grow stronger from here. Let’s keep pushing forward together!
Thank you for standing with me. Your support means the world.”
– David Tingle, LD-18 Assembly Candidate
So here’s the question LD-18 residents deserve an answer to:
Sterley Stanley, do you believe in democracy or don’t you?
You are the incumbent. You are the one who benefits if David Tingle is removed from the ballot. And yet, you have said nothing as your opponent is being legally maneuvered off the playing field before a single vote has been cast.
Where is the outrage? Where is the defense of voter choice?
You don’t get to campaign on protecting democracy while remaining silent when it’s being smothered in your own district.
Let’s be real—this isn’t about fraud. It’s not about :shady signatures”. This is a well-oiled political machine making sure it doesn’t have to break a sweat come primary season. And the people getting steamrolled? Voters. Communities. Anyone not already inside the clubhouse.
Here’s the pattern:
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First, raise the number of petition signatures.
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Then, restrict what slogans can be used on the ballot.
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Now, weaponize legal technicalities to knock opponents off before they even begin.
Sound democratic to you?
Steve Fulop isn’t wrong. This is fear. This is gatekeeping. This is about making sure the only names on your ballot are the ones who’ve already made friends with the right people.
Tingle isn’t quitting. That should scare anyone who hoped he would. Because he’s not playing the game the way they want it played. He’s running for the people of LD-18—not for the party bosses.
And he deserves a chance to be heard.
So Sterley—if you truly stand with democracy, prove it. Speak up. Defend the process. If you think voters prefer your leadership, let them decide that at the polls—not in a courtroom.
But right now?
You’re not just silent. You’re complicit.
