Democratic Candidates
These are the Democratic candidates running for election in 2026. Get to know each of them and what they stand for.
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT:
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT:
COUNCIL CANDIDATES
Aimee Luers Franco
Council Candidate
Aimee has proudly called North Caldwell home since 2020, where she lives with her husband, two sons, and their dog. She earned her PhD in virology and neuroimmunology from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and has built her career in pharmaceutical advertising and medical strategy, helping ensure patients have access to the right treatments. Aimee is committed to collaborative, fact-based leadership, with a focus on public safety, good governance, and community engagement. She values North Caldwell's strong intergenerational spirit and is already working with local and county leaders to address shared challenges. She looks forward to listening to residents and helping shape the town's future together.
COMITTEE CANDIDATES
“ Every man has a right to his opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts.”
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-Bernard M Baruch
Stephen Weinstein
District 2
Stephen Weinstein is a finance executive who brings decades of management and budget expertise to public service. A former managing director at Salomon Brothers, Citigroup, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Steve holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and serves on several nonprofit boards. Steve served three years on the North Caldwell Borough Council, where he delivered concrete results for residents: new pickleball, tennis, and basketball courts at Liberty Park; the transformation of Walker Park into usable open space; a new traffic light on Mountain Avenue improving safety in front of our school; expanded cell coverage for emergency communication; and the first expansion of the North Caldwell Police Department in 15 years. He delivered all of this while holding the line on taxes—a 0% municipal tax increase in 2023 and just 2.79% in 2024, a period during which the national Consumer Price Index rose 7.3%. Steve will continue applying that same disciplined, results-focused approach to strengthening the Democratic Party in North Caldwell.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
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-Margaret Mead
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
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-Margaret Mead
“Action is the antidote to despair.”
-Joan Baez
Beth Shapiro
District 2
Beth Shapiro is a small business owner and creative professional who has built her career across art direction, graphic design, and marketing management. For three years, she owned and operated Mud and Soul Clay Studio in Fairfield, where she ran every aspect of the business and brought neighbors together through art. A North Caldwell resident since 2008, Beth raised two daughters here while volunteering across the community—coaching recreation softball, leading a Brownie troop, and supporting countless school programs. She is a longtime grassroots Democrat who volunteered on every one of Mikie Sherrill's congressional and gubernatorial campaigns, including hosting Sherrill's first North Caldwell event in 2018. Beth has served on the North Caldwell Democratic Committee since 2020, helping elect Democrats at every level of government and working one-on-one with District 2 voters on registration, ballot questions, and voting deadlines. She brings energy, organizational skill, and a deep commitment to making local government work for everyone.
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ESSESX COUNTY COMMISSIONER DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES
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