Essex County, New Jersey

Essex County Executive

2 candidates are tracked for Essex County Executive on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. and Maritza Mathews. Candidate information follows official Essex County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Incumbent Democrat Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr., who has held the office since 2002, is seeking a seventh term against Republican nominee Maritza Mathews, who won the June 2, 2026 GOP primary with 5,275 votes, per the New Jersey Globe. Republicans have not won a countywide race in Essex since 1998, per the same report.

What this office does

County commissioner. The county board is the county's legislative and, in most states, executive body. Commissioners adopt the county budget and property tax rate, oversee roads, the jail, public health, planning and zoning in unincorporated areas, and appoint or confirm department heads. In counties with an elected county executive or judge, the board's role is mainly the budget and ordinances.

This race. Every voter in Essex County votes on this seat. The sitting officeholder, Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr., is on the ballot.

New Jersey › Essex County › Essex County Executive

Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr.

DemocraticIncumbent

Biography

Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. is the Essex County Executive, a position he has held since 2002, and is seeking a seventh term in November, per the New Jersey Globe. His administration's stated priorities are infrastructure improvements, public safety, recreational opportunities and economic growth, per the Essex County government website. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr.

Maritza Mathews

Republican

Biography

Maritza Mathews is the Essex County Republican Party's nominee for county executive. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Maritza Mathews.

Next on your ballotEssex County Commissioner At-Large

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Essex County Executive in 2026?

When is the Essex County Executive election in New Jersey?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for New Jersey are on the New Jersey election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Essex County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Essex County and state election office filings, last verified October 1, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official New Jersey election office, or see the full Essex County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Essex County ballot

7 tracked races in Essex County, New Jersey. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Essex County Commissioner, District 1 Essex County Commissioner, District 2 Essex County Commissioner, District 3 See all 7 Essex County races

Candidate profiles

Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr., full profile Maritza Mathews, full profile Official New Jersey election office