Parsippany mayor race kicks off with bad blood between incumbent and councilman

PARSIPPANY ― Nearly a full year ahead of the 2025 primary, it's game-on for the only full-time mayor's office in Morris County.

First-term Councilman Justin Musella, who has repeatedly clashed with Mayor James Barberio since taking office in 2022, announced on Saturday that he will run for mayor next year ― presumably against Barberio ― in the 2025 Republican primary.

"I believe that the time has come for new leadership and that is why I'm thrilled to announce my candidacy for mayor of this great township," Musella said. "I promise to restore the Republican party of Parsippany to its core principles and offer the residents a way out from gut-punching tax hikes, taxpayer-funded overdevelopment and political cronyism. Town Hall under my watch will be a place of service, not a club for the well-connected to violate the public trust."

Musella, 32, spoke to a crowd of more than 150 supporters during an outdoor event staged between two office buildings fronting Powder Mill Plaza. The audience included state Sen. Jon Branmick and Morris County Republican Chair Laura Ali, who also has clashed with Barberio since denying him a county committee endorsement in 2021.

Ali referred to Barberio as "the highest-paid and least-qualified mayor in Morris County" last month after Barberio criticized Musella during an on-air interview with NJ101.5 radio host, conservative firebrand and recently announced candidate for governor Bill Spadea .

Three-term incumbent

Barberio is in his third non-consecutive term as mayor of the township he grew up in. His first term began in 2010 after he unseated incumbent Democrat Michael Luther in the 2009 election. He won a second term in 2013, but lost to Democrat Michael Soriano in 2017.

Barberio returned the favor, beating Soriano in 2021, running on the same party line as Musella. But since Musella joined the council, the two have clashed in public on several hot-button issues, including over project labor agreements that favor larger union shops, so-called PILOT agreements that provide tax breaks for more than half a dozen developers and the current budget .

"The day after the November election, this administration and the developer's attorney rushed their backroom pilot deals down the throat of the Parsippany taxpayer," Musella said. "Almost 1,000 of you came out in protest [at a seven-hour Dec. 28 council meeting, where six PILOTs were passed] to make our voice heard. I promise never to stop fighting town hall better for all of us."

'Carpetbagger' allegations

Barberio responded to Musella's candidacy with a statement to the Daily Record, calling Musella a "carpetbagger politician trying to use us as a stepping stone for higher office."

"This election will be very different for him," Barberio wrote. "Parsippany demands accountability, so he will no longer be able to snipe from the sidelines. He is a liberal Democrat trying to run in the GOP Primary but Parsippany Republicans won’t buy it."

"Working families, seniors on fixed income and the most vulnerable have suffered greatly under the failed policies of this administration," said Musella, who also announced that he and his wife, Courtney, are expecting their first child. "We will maximize our town services without breaking the bank and you will have a mayor more dedicated to helping the residents than special interests. We will restore the depleted morale of our town workforce so they can serve you at their best."

Board of Education support

Turning to members of the Parsippany Board of Education sitting behind him, who also have publicly clashed with the mayor on several occasions, Musella added, "And I will restore good relations with the Board of Education."

Board President Andy Choffo, the first speaker of the afternoon, pledged his support.

"He has fresh ideas, he's not unwilling to ask difficult questions and put himself in the crosshairs of whoever he happens to upset at the moment," Choffo said. "He has really shaken up politics in a big way."

Barberio says he has already shaken up Parsippany and put the township back on "sound financial footing" after what he termed poor fiscal mismanagement by the Soriano administration, compounded by the COVID lockdown.

"When I came back, I promised the residents that I would fix the broken finances and focus on public safety," Barberio stated. "We have done that by stabilizing our budget and by adding more cops to protect us. There will be a time to reflect on the impactful strides we have made, but until then I will continue fighting for every Parsippany resident in every corner of this great town. Parsippany deserves an experienced leader that is ready to stand up for them."

Barberio also took Musella to task for the timing of his announcement when Republicans are facing a crucial 2024 presidential election.

"At the very moment we need unity to defeat Democrats in Morris County, Justin announces his candidacy for next June," Barberio stated. "He should have been respectful enough of the party to hold his election announcement until after the November election.  Justin could care less about the Republican party, and he could care less about Parsippany. He only cares about himself."

Barberio has indicated he will run for a fourth non-consecutive term, but stated "It's too early for anyone to discuss. Until then I will continue fighting for every Parsippany resident in every corner of this great town."

"I am proud of the record I have built in the last four years as a Republican councilman," Musella said. "I have served your interest and been your voice. But I cannot do it alone. Send a message to this administration that enough is enough."

Bramnick-approved

Bramnick, who in January announced his candidacy for the governor's office in 2025, did not speak to the crowd but told the Daily Record that he supports Musella "100%."

"I'm a big fan of Justin," Bramnick said. "I've known him for a long time, you can see he's got the passion in his eyes. Probably one of the hardest-working people I've seen in politics."

Reminded that Parsippany already has a Republican mayor, Branick said "When I find a candidate I like, I speak out. When I find a candidate I don't like, I also speak out. I'm not one to change my opinions based on whatever the trends are."

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Parsippany mayor race kicks off with bad blood between incumbent and councilman