Monmouth County Surrogate

About this race

Incumbent Surrogate Maureen T. Raisch is seeking a second five-year term. She is challenged by Democrat Anthony L. Cherry Jr. Both ran unopposed in their party's June 2, 2026 primary, per the New Jersey Globe. The field matches the County Clerk's official November 3, 2026 Federal and County candidate list (read September 8, 2026).

About the Monmouth County Surrogate

The surrogate is the judge of the Surrogate's Court and also a deputy clerk of the Superior Court, in its Chancery Division (Probate Part and Family Part). The office probates estates with and without wills, reviews and files contested estate cases, finalizes adoptions, appoints guardians for minors who receive funds and for incapacitated adults, and keeps the county's probate, guardianship and adoption records. It also manages the Surrogate Intermingled Trust Fund, which holds more than $20 million for minors, per the county. The Surrogate's Court has limited jurisdiction, and disputes go to the Superior Court, per the county.

The surrogate is one countywide constitutional officer elected every five years, so every Monmouth County voter votes on the office, per the county.

Maureen T. Raisch is the surrogate and is on the ballot for a second term, per the county.

Official source: Monmouth County: Meet the Surrogate, Monmouth County: Surrogate's Court