The League of Humane Voters of New Jersey is proud to endorse Steve Fulop for Governor in the Democratic Primary on June 10th! His unwavering commitment to animal protection, from supporting humane legislation to protecting New Jersey's wildlife, sets him apart as a true champion for animals.

Steve opposes the bear hunt and will not disappoint the huge animal protection community in New Jersey. He was always opposed to the bear hunt, cruel traveling circuses, and much more. See this link for more information from his campaign.

We are sad to report that Steven Fulop did not win the primary. We will always lohv Steve!

Legislative District 37 - Shama Haider - Winner

The League of Humane Voters of New Jersey is proud to endorse Assemblywoman Shama Haider for re-election to the New Jersey Legislative District 37* in the Democratic Primary on June 10th!

• She tirelessly fights for animals, introducing humane legislation to protect both New Jersey’s domestic animals and wildlife.
• She is the Primary Sponsor of A4051, which prohibits the sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits by pet shops, ending NJ's puppy mill pipeline! She is the Primary Sponsor of A1404, which restores bow and arrow hunting safety buffer zones around certain buildings, which reduces the amount of land bow hunters can use! She is also the Primary Sponsor of A1422 , "Chiara's Law", which prohibits euthanizing animals in shelters or pounds except for health or safety reasons.
• Her consistent and principled stand on animal protection distinguishes her as a true advocate for animals. Assemblywoman Shama Haider is both the Deputy Conference Leader and the Deputy Majority Leader, as well as Chair of the Children, Families and Food Security Committee.

Dear LOHV Voter,

An informed vote in the primaries can make all the difference later on.  As always, LOHV-NJ confines our alerts to animal protection.

Given this state’s egregious mistreatment of wildlife by both parties, the 2025 primaries are especially important.

For some candidates there is no mystery: Jack Ciaterelli, the likely Republican candidate, is vocally pro-bear hunt and is supported by hunting groups.

On the Democrat side, former Senate President Stephen Sweeney presided over an extended  period of unprecedented harm to wildlife:

• The recipient of contributions from national hunting and trapping interests, Sweeney established the hunter/trapper legislative caucus in Trenton and was referred to by the outfits as “Our man in Trenton.”

• Sweeney presided over years of hunting industry deregulation in Trenton.

• As Senate President, Sweeney voted for his own hunting and trapping bills  by substituting himself on committees.  He cast the deciding vote (3-2), on S2492, a bill to expand unspeakably cruel body-gripping trapping of beavers.  Animal Protection League and LOHV-NJ later worked for and obtained a veto of the bill.

• Disgracefully, Sweeney blocked any Senate floor vote for a concurrent resolution to prohibit the Fish and Game Council from allowing modified leghold traps banned by the Legislature in 1984.  He blocked the Senate vote because we, or trapped animals, had the votes. If not for Sweeney, and for Governor Murphy’s subsequent reneging on his campaign promise to reverse the regulation. raccoons, foxes and other animals would not be suffering in so-called enclosed leghold traps.  The Senate would have approved the regulation.  The Assembly had already approved it, twice. 

We’ve included the below snippet from a public meeting wherein (in the order they spoke) Sean Spiller, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop (a longtime, vocal opponent of the bear hunt),) Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-5^th)District, and New Jersey Congresswoman (D-11^th District) Mikey Sherrill responded to an audience question about the bear hunt.  (Legislative and Congressional districts are not the same.)

Only Fulop (2:36) and Spiller (0:13) promised to end the bear hunt. Sweeney (4:38) is in favor of bear hunting. Baraka (6:36) and Gottheimer (10:20) said they would talk to both sides and find solutions, but neither said he would end the hunt. Sherrill (12:10) said that people are not asking her about the bear hunt, and seemed dismissive of an animal-related question and her colleague’s responses.  See what you think.  She’s at the tail end.

New Jersey’s wildlife has had a terrible run under several administrations and governors. Please vote in the primary.

Tue Jun 10, 2025 - New Jersey Gubernatorial and General Assembly Primary Election

Tue Nov 4, 2025 - New Jersey Gubernatorial and General Assembly General Election