The Blue Wall Holds: Analyzing Anthony Cureton's Victory In The Bergen County Sheriff Election 2024
The Bergen County Sheriff Election of 2024 concluded on November 5, 2024, with a decisive victory for the incumbent, Democrat Anthony Cureton, who successfully secured his re-election for a second term. This election was a significant contest in New Jersey's most populous county, pitting the experienced Democratic Sheriff against a seasoned Republican challenger, focusing public attention on critical issues like public safety, jail operations, and community engagement initiatives.
The campaign trail was dominated by debates over the future of the Bergen County Sheriff's Office (BCSO), including its role in addressing the opioid crisis and maintaining security in a rapidly evolving suburban landscape. As of the current date, December 26, 2025, the results confirm Cureton's continued mandate to lead the county's primary law enforcement and corrections agency.
The Candidates: A Look at the 2024 Bergen County Sheriff Race
The 2024 General Election presented Bergen County voters with a clear choice between an established incumbent focused on community programs and a high-ranking local police chief advocating for new leadership and accountability.
Anthony Cureton (Democrat) - The Incumbent
- Party: Democrat
- Status: Incumbent Sheriff, Re-elected for a second term.
- Residency: Lifelong resident of Bergen County, resides in Englewood with his wife, Natalie, and their two daughters.
- Professional Background: Over 35 years of experience in law enforcement. He is a retired 25-year veteran and Detective Sergeant of the Englewood Police Department.
- Community Leadership: Former local president of the NAACP.
- Key Platform/Initiatives: Focused on continuing and expanding successful programs he implemented, including community outreach, addressing the opioid crisis, and enhancing school safety.
Robert J. Kugler (Republican) - The Challenger
- Party: Republican
- Status: Challenger in the 2024 General Election.
- Professional Background: Served as the Police Chief for Saddle Brook. His background emphasized local, municipal-level law enforcement leadership.
- Key Platform/Stance: Kugler's campaign was centered on the need for new leadership and increased accountability within the Sheriff's Office. A notable action during his campaign was filing a complaint against the Bergen County Clerk, signaling a focus on government transparency and election procedure.
- Result: Received 129,305 votes (46.45%) in the General Election.
The Election Results and the Mandate for Cureton
The General Election, held on November 5, 2024, saw a strong turnout for the county-level race, which coincided with the national presidential and congressional elections.
The unofficial results from the Bergen County Clerk's Office confirmed Sheriff Anthony Cureton's victory:
- Anthony Cureton (Democrat): 149,043 votes (53.55%)
- Robert J. Kugler (Republican): 129,305 votes (46.45%)
Cureton’s near 7% margin of victory solidified the Democratic hold on the county's executive law enforcement position. This result is widely viewed as a public endorsement of the incumbent’s approach to modern policing, which heavily emphasizes community-based strategies and specialized programs to tackle complex issues.
Key Issues That Defined the 2024 Campaign
The debate between the two candidates was not simply about law enforcement but about the broader scope of the Sheriff's Office's responsibilities, which includes managing the Bergen County Jail and providing specialized services to the county's 70 municipalities.
The Opioid Crisis and "Operation Path Forward"
One of the most significant entities and talking points for the incumbent was the ongoing fight against the opioid epidemic. Sheriff Cureton highlighted his office's initiative, "Operation Path Forward," which employs a multi-pronged approach combining education, rehabilitation, enforcement, and continued treatment. This program demonstrates a shift toward a public health model within law enforcement, a strategy favored by many Bergen County residents and local leaders.
Jail Operations and Criminal Justice Reform (CJR)
The Bergen County Jail remains a core responsibility of the Sheriff's Office. Discussions during the election centered on the impact of New Jersey’s Criminal Justice Reform (CJR) on the jail population and budget. The BCSO also took on a larger regional role in recent years by consolidating corrections operations with Passaic County, a complex logistical and financial issue that required careful management and was a key point of public scrutiny.
School Safety and Community Outreach
Ensuring the safety of Bergen County schools was a non-negotiable issue for both candidates. Sheriff Cureton's office promoted several successful youth and community programs that were central to his re-election pitch, including:
- BCSO SAFE PLACE: A unique partnership with local schools and businesses designed to assist victims of anti-LGBTQ+ and bias/hate crimes.
- School Resource Officers (SROs): Providing specialized, trained officers to create safe learning environments and act as valuable resources for school staff.
- Youth Programs: Initiatives like the Youth Law Enforcement Leadership Academy and the Sheriff's Training and Redirection Team (S.T.A.R.T.) aim to build positive relationships between law enforcement and young people.
Looking Ahead: The Significance of Cureton's Second Term
Sheriff Anthony Cureton's victory in the 2024 election secures his position as the head of the Bergen County Sheriff's Office for another term, allowing him to continue the reform-minded and community-focused initiatives he began. His re-election is seen as a continuation of policies that prioritize mental health, addiction services, and proactive community engagement alongside traditional law enforcement duties.
The result also underscores the political landscape of Bergen County, where Democratic candidates have consistently found success in recent election cycles. The outcome of the 2024 Sheriff's race will undoubtedly influence the future direction of law enforcement in Northern New Jersey, particularly concerning regional jail consolidation, the integration of social services into policing, and the ongoing implementation of statewide criminal justice reforms. The continued emphasis on community-focused programs and specialized units is expected to be the hallmark of the BCSO's operations moving forward.
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