Fanwood's Tai Cooper to Face Linden's Jimmy Diaz in Union

Fanwood's Tai Cooper and Linden's Jimmy Diaz are the candidates in the Union County Clerk race following the death of County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi on July 16 at age 78. Electoral succession established two candidates for November general election and Union County-wide office.

County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi Legacy

Rajoppi had served as county clerk for more than 30 years and was the first woman elected to the office. She was first elected to the position in 1995 and took the oath of office seven times during her tenure. Decades of service and historic achievement established precedent for successor election and office legacy.

Jimmy Diaz Candidate Profile

Linden's Jimmy Diaz won the GOP primary nomination for Linden mayor in June but withdrew from that race. "I am withdrawing as a candidate for Mayor of Linden," he posted on Facebook. "Because of my love for Linden and the need for change, I feel that it is in Linden's best interest to remove myself from the ballot." Primary race withdrawal enabled focus on county clerk candidacy and unified GOP support.

Union County Life covers Union County elections, government, and local news across all 21 Union County municipalities.

Interim County Clerk Operations

Deputy County Clerk Clara Fernández is carrying out the clerk's duties during the vacancy. Under New Jersey law, when the county clerk position becomes vacant, the deputy clerk assumes the office's powers and responsibilities until the vacancy is filled. Interim administrative continuity ensured operational government function during election process.

Successor Term Length

The successor elected following the vacancy will receive a new five-year term rather than serving only the remainder of the former clerk's term. Term structure supported full mandate and operational stability for successor.

Tai Cooper Candidate Profile

Fanwood's Tai Cooper is chief community development officer for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. According to the NJEDA, she previously served as deputy chief policy adviser to Governor Phil Murphy and chief policy adviser to Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. Executive branch background and state-level economic development expertise provided policy experience.

Cooper also worked as a senior aide to the late U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg and as chief of staff to the mayor of Orange. Federal legislative and municipal executive experience demonstrated multi-level government service.

She holds degrees in urban planning from Rutgers University and New York University. Educational credentials in urban planning reflected policy and development focus.

Democratic Committee Support

The Fanwood Democratic Committee publicly backed Cooper, citing her promise to continue the legacy of professionalism and access to elections championed by Rajoppi. Party endorsement and Rajoppi legacy continuity framed Cooper's candidacy.

Election Timeline and Results

The general election will take place Tuesday, November 3. Election date established November timeline for voter decision and successor determination.

County Clerk Office and Elections

County clerk responsibilities include elections administration, vital records management, and official documentation. Union County Clerk position represented significant administrative and electoral authority.

For Union County Voters

Union County voters will determine the next county clerk in the November 3 general election. Voters across all 21 municipalities will participate in selecting successor to Rajoppi.

Find more Union County elections, government, and local news on Union County Life.

Photo Credit: Jimmy Diaz, Fanwood Deomocratic Committe

FAQ

Q: What is the Union County Clerk race about?
A: Two candidates, Tai Cooper from Fanwood and Jimmy Diaz from Linden, are running for Union County Clerk following the death of longtime Clerk Joanne Rajoppi on July 16, 2026.

Q: Who was Joanne Rajoppi?
A: Joanne Rajoppi served as Union County Clerk for over 30 years (1995-2026) and was the first woman elected to the office. She took the oath of office seven times during her tenure.

Q: Who is Tai Cooper?
A: Tai Cooper is from Fanwood and is currently the chief community development officer for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. She previously served as deputy chief policy adviser to Governor Phil Murphy and chief policy adviser to Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. She has degrees in urban planning from Rutgers University and New York University.

Q: Who is Jimmy Diaz?
A: Jimmy Diaz is from Linden and won the Republican primary nomination for Linden mayor in June 2026 before withdrawing from that race to focus on the county clerk position.

Q: Why did Jimmy Diaz withdraw from the mayoral race?
A: Diaz posted on Facebook that he felt it was in Linden's best interest to remove himself from the mayoral ballot.

Q: Who is serving as county clerk now?
A: Deputy County Clerk Clara Fernández is carrying out the county clerk's duties during the vacancy.

Q: When is the election?
A: The general election will take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Q: How long is the term for the new county clerk?
A: The successor elected will receive a new five-year term rather than serving only the remainder of Rajoppi's term.