New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District leans overwhelmingly Democratic, which means the winner of the Democratic primary will almost certainly become the district’s next member of Congress. With Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman retiring, the race is wide open — and Eyes on EB has decided to go down the rabbit hole early, because the direction of this primary will directly shape East Brunswick’s representation for the next decade.
At this early stage, three candidates have officially entered the race. More are expected to join before the filing deadline, but here’s where things stand thus far — and how we’re evaluating which candidate may be the strongest fit for the moderate voter.
How Eyes on EB Is Defining “Moderate”
To keep this analysis consistent and fair, we’re evaluating candidates through four criteria:
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Tone and communication style
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Governance approach and experience
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Fiscal steadiness
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Social and cultural positioning
Brad Cohen — The Most Moderate, Predictable Candidate So Far
Brad Cohen, the long-serving Mayor of East Brunswick, is the most familiar name for our town’s residents. With an MD and MBA, years on the Board of Education, and nearly a decade as mayor, Cohen’s approach to government is methodical, administrative, and grounded in policy rather than performance.
Cohen’s record on the municipal portion of East Brunswick taxes — the only part the mayor controls — shows small, incremental increases. While residents have felt the impact of large school tax hikes, those stem from state aid cuts, district budget issues, and Board of Education decisions, not the mayor’s office. For many moderate voters, Cohen’s fiscal management style signals steadiness.
His messaging avoids activist framing and focuses on redevelopment, affordability, and everyday governance. Even when Cohen diverges from his party — including public disagreement with Rep. Watson Coleman over a 2019 BDS vote — he does so from a center-left, not progressive, posture.
Cohen also brings a clear local advantage: East Brunswick could benefit from someone who understands the town’s infrastructure, redevelopment timelines, and regional challenges firsthand.
However, Cohen faces a demographic challenge. NJ-12 is one of the most diverse districts in the state, and Democratic primary voters increasingly lean toward candidates who reflect that diversity. As a white male candidate in an open Democratic primary, he may encounter the same structural headwinds seen in similar races nationwide.
Despite that reality, Cohen remains the most moderate and governance-focused candidate in the field so far.
Shanel Robinson — Center-Left, Service-Driven, Strong on Community Needs
Somerset County Commissioner Director Shanel Robinson brings executive experience and a compelling biography. An Air Force veteran who served as an avionics mechanic, Robinson approaches public service with discipline, duty, and a deep sense of community responsibility.
Her priorities — housing affordability, infrastructure, disaster response, and support for underserved communities — come from firsthand experience navigating Hurricane Ida’s devastation. She emphasizes planning, responsiveness, and meeting residents where they are.
Robinson’s tone is calm and pragmatic. She’s not a firebrand, and she doesn’t frame her politics in activist terms. For moderate voters who lean center-left but still want stability and experience, Robinson is a credible option slightly left of Cohen but firmly within the Democratic mainstream.
Kyle Little — The Progressive Energy Candidate
Kyle Little brings energy, passion, and a clearly progressive agenda — his campaign tagline, “A Fighter Against Fascism. A Voice for the People.” immediately signals that he’s running from the left.
Little openly aligns with national progressive figures such as AOC, Jasmine Crockett, and Maxwell Frost. He argues that the Democratic Party needs generational change and has been critical of “stagnant Democrats.” His platform emphasizes equality, expanded healthcare access, and standing up for vulnerable communities — themes that resonate with the party’s progressive wing.
Little’s approach reflects a growing national trend. The recent election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York City — a young Democratic Socialist who ran on a platform of rent freezes, free transit, and taxing the wealthy — demonstrates how a populist, activist-first approach can mobilize younger voters. Some strategists compare Mamdani’s success to the organizing blueprint used by Bernie Sanders, and there’s speculation that similar progressive-populist campaigns will spread nationally.
Whether Little fully leans into that model remains to be seen, but his messaging places him closest to the progressive-populist lane. For moderates, independents, or voters seeking predictability and bipartisan appeal, he is the least aligned option so far. For those seeking rapid change and a departure from traditional politics, Little represents that direction.
More Candidates Are Expected
This field is not final.
Open seats almost always attract additional contenders — especially in a safely Democratic district where the primary effectively decides the seat. NJ-12 is no exception.
Early reporting and political chatter have mentioned several possible entrants:
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State Sen. Andrew Zwicker (listed in early NJ Globe reporting)
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Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (also on NJ Globe’s early shortlist)
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Commissioner Shanti Narra (rumored due to her base in Middlesex County)
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Assemblywoman Linda Carter (discussed in party circles)
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Commissioner Sam Frisby (widely recognized in Mercer political circles)
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Assemblywoman Tennille McCoy (included in multiple speculative lists)
As of now, only three candidates have formally announced their candidacy. Additional individuals may have filed exploratory paperwork or be considering a run, but no others have made public declarations that we know of.
If any of these rumored contenders jump in, the dynamics of the race — especially for the moderate voter — will shift quickly.
Political Infrastructure Matters
As the race develops, three structural factors will be critical:
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Fundraising strength
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Organizational capacity
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County-line endorsements in Middlesex, Mercer, and Somerset
In a district this large and diverse, viability will depend on more than messaging — it will hinge on who can build the strongest political operation over the coming months.
Eyes on EB will track each of these elements as more information becomes public.
Bottom Line (For Now)
Based on what we know thus far:
1️⃣ Brad Cohen — Most moderate, governance-focused, locally knowledgeable
2️⃣ Shanel Robinson — Center-left, service-oriented, experienced, pragmatic
3️⃣ Kyle Little — Progressive, energetic, least aligned with moderate voters
This ranking may shift as new candidates enter, endorsements form, and platforms become more detailed.
We Want Your Input
Eyes on EB is digging into this early because the stakes for our community are real.
Now we want to hear from you:
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What qualities matter most in a congressional representative?
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Do you value experience, moderation, fresh energy, or specific policy areas?
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What questions do YOU want us to ask the candidates in future coverage?
New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District includes parts of Middlesex, Mercer, Somerset, and Union counties — covering communities such as East Brunswick, North Brunswick, South Brunswick, Plainsboro, West Windsor, East Windsor, Princeton, Franklin, Montgomery, Trenton, and several neighboring towns.
Send your thoughts to tips@EyesOnEB.com or comment on our platforms — your input will shape the next phase of our reporting.
