Jefferson, New Jersey Mayor Eric Wilsusen is facing a Republican primary challenge from former state Assemblyman Christian Barranco in the June 2 election. The winner of the GOP primary is expected to determine the next mayor in the November general election, as three contested Republican races in Jefferson dominate local attention.

Wilsusen, a two-term incumbent first elected in 2019, is a lifelong Jefferson resident and retired deputy chief of the township police force, having served 31 years before retiring in 2016. He currently works as director of Child and Youth Services for the Diocese of Paterson.

Barranco, who moved to Jefferson’s Oak Ridge section in 2018, previously served on the Pompton Lakes Council and two terms in the New Jersey state Assembly, where he was the lone Hispanic member of the Republican Caucus. He lost his Assembly seat in 2023.

Barranco has sharply criticized the current administration, citing rising property taxes and school closures. "For the past eight years, our town has had taxes skyrocket and schools close. Residents are hurting, and the current administration has done nothing to help. These same people now claim they have a 'new vision,' but it is too little too late. It is time for someone with a real plan to take the reins and put our town back on track," he said. He added, "We've knocked on probably about 1,100 doors to date, and there are very few registered voters in this primary that are pleased with the administration of our town. They are not happy with repeated, year-after-year, large property tax increases. They just say, 'We're leaving.' And that happens a lot. That's negative. Because of how a local government is being administered, that is not a positive occurrence. We are in a very difficult place. So how can you put a positive spin on that?"

His 10-point platform calls for budget reviews, a cap on property tax increases, and greater transparency. "We already know that this administration is hiding behind closed doors. Our government should never shy away from examination or the input of its residents. Transparency is not rhetoric but rather a basic staple of local government. When we take office, it will be a top priority of the Save Jefferson team to restore transparency to Town Hall," Barranco said. He also criticized the Jefferson Place development, a 107-unit project on Route 15 approved under a PILOT agreement, claiming, "This new development will not pay any school taxes for 25 years!"

Wilsusen defended the development, stating it underwent a full public approval process. "The Jefferson Place apartments were not some secretive or reckless project pushed through without oversight. The development went through the legally required public process involving the Land Use Board, planners, engineers, attorneys, township professionals, state agencies and state requirements — and was ultimately approved by the town council," he said. He added, "I didn't even have a vote," on the council’s final decision. He cited his emergency management experience and leadership through crises including COVID-19, harmful algal blooms on Lake Hopatcong, bridge closures, Route 15 closures, Route 80 closures, tropical storms, and historic snowstorms. "I rely on my emergency management, police and fire background. And my days as the public information officer help me lead the town. I've been transparent, and I've served honorably," Wilsusen said.

Both candidates pledge to support the Jefferson School District, which submitted a deficit budget in 2024 due to state funding cuts. Wilsusen attributes fiscal constraints to environmental restrictions in the New Jersey Highlands region. Barranco argues the town collects sufficient revenue but spends too much. "We have no problem collecting revenues, and clearly over the past five years or so, maybe six years, we have collected successively more revenues every year than we ever have before. So we don't have a problem where we don't have enough revenue. We have a problem where we're spending too much money," Barranco said.