GOP’s McClellan, Simonsen face challenge from Democrats Rush, Sabo
Editor’s note: See related Q&A stories of all the candidates.
TRENTON — It’s a four-way race for two seats in Legislative District 1 Assembly, with Republican incumbents Antwan McClellan and Erik Simonsen facing a challenge from Democrats Carolyn Rush and Carol Sabo on Nov. 4.
The district includes the municipalities in Cape May, Cumberland and Atlantic counties.
McClellan is personnel director, confidential assistant and public information officer for the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office.
He was first elected in 2019, serving as Republican whip from 2022 to 2023 and now deputy Republican leader since January 2024. He was re-elected in 2021 and 2023.
A lifelong resident of Ocean City, he served as councilman from 2012 to 2019, and as a member of the Ocean City Board of Education from 2010 to 2012.
Simonsen, former director of athletics and activities for the Lower Cape May Regional School District, is a lifelong resident of Lower Township. He previously served as councilman from 2013 to 2016 and mayor from 2017 to 2018.
He was first elected in 2019, then re-elected in 2021 and 2023.
Rush mounted primary campaigns for Congress in 2022 and 2024 and joined Sen. Andy Kim as a plaintiff in a lawsuit that appears to have ended the county organization line.
A native of Medford who now lives full time in Sea Isle City, her work experience includes time as an engineer with Lockheed Martin. She has been affiliated with the League of Women Voters, American Promise, South Jersey Democratic Women’s Forum, ALS Association, and with the Association of Scientists and Professional Engineering Personnel.
Sabo has been mayor of West Cape May since 2018. Prior to that, she served on the borough’s Board of Commissioners.
Sabo has served as a social worker and educator. Before entering education, she worked in Child Protective Services, advocating for families and children throughout Cape May County.
(Rush and Simonsen were profiled in the Aug. 13 edition. Their profiles can be found online at ocnjsentinel.com.) Following are profiles are McClellan and Sabo: