South Plainfield's November 2026 Ballot: Who's Running

South Plainfield voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to decide races spanning municipal, Board of Education, county, and federal offices. Union County Life has compiled the full candidate picture from the Borough of South Plainfield's 2026 General Election lineup.

Candidate petitions for municipal races closed July 27, 2026, at 4 p.m.

Municipal Races

On the municipal level, all three Republican incumbents are running unopposed. Mayor Matt Anesh is seeking his fifth consecutive mayoral term. In South Plainfield, the mayor serves a four-year term.

Council member Christine Faustini is seeking her fourth consecutive council term, and council member Derryck White is seeking his sixth consecutive council term. Council terms in the borough run three years, and two council seats are up each year.

Board of Education

Three at-large seats on the nine-member South Plainfield Board of Education are set to expire this year. Board of education terms are three years.

Incumbents Keith Both, Ernie 'Jim' Giannakis, and Pio Pennski are each seeking re-election and are running together under the banner "The Proven Team." Challenger Madhusudhana Rao Anna is also on the ballot, running under the slogan "Accountability, Quality, Integrity."

County Races

The county surrogate seat and two commissioner seats are up this cycle. Democratic incumbent Claribel Cortes is seeking re-election as county surrogate for a five-year term. Republican Harold V. Kane, Jr. is challenging her.

On the Union County Board of Commissioners, Democratic incumbents Charles Tomaro and Leslie Koppel are seeking re-election. Republicans John 'Jack' Mikolajczyk and Andrew Zaborney are challenging for those seats. Voters will select two candidates for three-year terms.

Federal Races

South Plainfield voters will also elect a U.S. Senator and a member of Congress. Democratic incumbent Cory Booker is seeking re-election to a six-year Senate term. Republican Justin Murphy, Independent Veronica Fernandez, and Independent Joanne Kuniansky are also in the race.

South Plainfield falls within the 6th Congressional District, where Democratic incumbent Frank Pallone, Jr. is seeking re-election to a two-year term. Republican Hillary Herzig is challenging him.

Union County Life covers South Plainfield elections, municipal government, and civic information as part of its ongoing coverage of South Plainfield and the other 20 Union County municipalities.

Find more South Plainfield news, elections, and community information on Union County Life.

FAQ

Q: When is Election Day 2026 in South Plainfield?
A: Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Q: What races are on the ballot in South Plainfield?
A: Voters will decide municipal (mayor, council), Board of Education, county (surrogate, commissioners), and federal (U.S. Senator, U.S. House) races.

Q: How many council seats are on the ballot?
A: Two council seats are up in 2026. Council terms are three years, and two seats are up each year.

Q: How many school board seats are on the ballot?
A: Three at-large seats on the nine-member South Plainfield Board of Education are up for election. Board of education terms are three years.

Q: Who are the school board candidates?
A: Incumbents Keith Both, Ernie 'Jim' Giannakis, and Pio Pennski are running as "The Proven Team." Challenger Madhusudhana Rao Anna is also running with the slogan "Accountability, Quality, Integrity."

Q: Who is running for mayor?
A: Mayor Matt Anesh, the Republican incumbent, is running unopposed for his fifth consecutive term. The mayor's term is four years.

Q: Who is running for council?
A: Republican incumbents Christine Faustini and Derryck White are running unopposed. Faustini is seeking her fourth term; White is seeking his sixth term.

Q: What county races are on the ballot?
A: The county surrogate seat and two commissioner seats are up. Democratic incumbent Claribel Cortes is facing Republican Harold V. Kane, Jr. for surrogate. Democratic incumbents Charles Tomaro and Leslie Koppel are facing Republicans John 'Jack' Mikolajczyk and Andrew Zaborney for the two commissioner seats (three-year terms).

Q: What federal races are on the ballot?
A: Voters will elect a U.S. Senator and a U.S. House representative. South Plainfield is in the 6th Congressional District.

Q: Who is running for U.S. Senate?
A: Democratic incumbent Cory Booker is seeking a six-year term. Republican Justin Murphy, and Independents Veronica Fernandez and Joanne Kuniansky are also in the race.

Q: Who is running for U.S. House?
A: In the 6th Congressional District, Democratic incumbent Frank Pallone, Jr. is seeking a two-year term. Republican Hillary Herzig is challenging him.

Q: Where can I find more information about South Plainfield elections?
A: Union County Life covers South Plainfield elections and municipal government. Visit unioncountylife.com for more information about local races and candidates.