Parsippany Councilman Justin Musella, already in a bitter Republican primary battle against Mayor James Barberio, said his campaign will press on despite an attempt by Morris County GOP leaders to unite the rivals on one ticket, with Barberio remaining at the top.
“The 2025 election cycle poses significant challenges, and I strongly believe a united front is essential for ensuring Republican success in the general election,” county Republican Chairwoman Laura Ali wrote in a letter dated Friday to Musella and Barberio.
Ali had previously supported Musella and last May lambasted Barberio as “the highest-paid and least-qualified mayor in Morris County.” But her latest message proposed a meeting of the parties on Sunday to discuss a “unity” ticket with Barberio running for mayor and Musella seeking re-election with Councilman Frank Neglia, a supporter of Barberio’s who is also on the ballot this year.
This year’s New Jersey primary will be held on June 10. No Democrats have entered the race as of yet.
“Such a unified ticket would not only consolidate our party’s resources and energy but also send a powerful message of solidarity to voters,” Ali wrote in her letter, which was also addressed to Neglia.
Friday, Musella said “I’ll be knocking on doors” of voters on Sunday while Ali’s proposed meeting takes place.
“Our campaign to end the cycle of corruption, over-taxation and taxpayer-funded overdevelopment in Parsippany, once and for all, cannot be intimidated,” Musella told the Daily Record.
Seemingly backed by the county GOP, Musella clashed publicly with Barberio as soon as he was sworn into office in 2021, heralding an apparently inevitable showdown in this year’s primary. Ali was there when Musella kicked off his mayoral campaign in June.
Change of heart?
Barberio welcomed the change of heart from Ali, who represents a county committee that has been at odds with the mayor for years. Barberio, who lost to Democrat Michael Soriano in 2017 after two terms in office, regained his office after winning the 2021 GOP primary despite the county GOP endorsing his opponent, Louis Valori. Barberio then beat Soriano in a general election rematch.
“Mayor Barberio brings to the table the experience and track record that Parsippany needs to continue forward momentum,” Ali wrote in the letter. “Councilmen Musella and Neglia bring perspectives and demonstrated commitment to our community’s prosperity. Together, their collective leadership offers a well-rounded and formidable team that will stand out in the eyes of voters across the political spectrum. This ticket will have the full, unwavering support of the Morris County Republican Party.”
“I’m delighted that Chairwoman Ali recognizes the great job I’ve done and we are doing here in Parsippany and that she is committed to party unity,” Barberio told the Daily Record on Friday. “I look forward to working with her and all fellow Republicans to unify our party and continue our great work to keep Parsippany moving forward.
In recent weeks, Barberio has also won some key endorsements including community leaders and Parsippany Board of Education President Andrew Choffo, a former rival who spoke at Musella’s mayoral campaign kickoff last summer.
‘Difficult year for Parsippany Republicans’
Ali’s letter, copied to other county Republican leaders, acknowledged that while Republicans regained the White House, Senate and Congress, 2024 “was a difficult year for Republicans in Parsippany.”
“Donald Trump lost to Kamala Harris in Parsippany,” she wrote. “[U.S. Senate candidate] Curtis Bashaw lost Parsippany to Andy Kim and Mikie Sherrill defeated Joe Belnome for Congress by nearly 3,000 votes. These results underscore the challenges of mobilizing a winning coalition in a township that has increasingly leaned Democratic in recent elections.”
With a population of 56,000, Parsippany is by far the largest municipality in Morris County. Barberio is the only full-time mayor in the county, making his office among the most powerful elected positions in the area. Mostly considered a “purple” town politically, Parsippany has a long history of electing Democratic mayors to serve with Republican council majorities.
Judy Hernandez, also elected in 2021, is the only current Democrat on the council. There were no municipal elections in Parsippany last year.
The 2024 election outcomes in the township, Ali wrote, “should serve as a call to action for us all — we must do everything possible to present a cohesive, compelling ticket that represents our party’s strongest attributes and that Parsippany voters can confidently rally behind.”
On Friday, Musella said his campaign would provide updates in the near future on running mates He said he plans “meet-and-greets and local speaking opportunities to show what the path forward to Parsippany looks like.”
Asked to respond, Ali said she would “remain hopeful” that Musella attends the Sunday meeting, and that Barberio and Neglia have already agreed to attend.
“As the party chair, it’s my job to bring the party together where possible,” Ali said. “It can be challenging at times, including this time. Hopefully, Councilman Musella takes some time to reflect and realize that this is the best path forward for him and for the Republican party.”
William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com
Twitter/X: @wwesthoven
