Doug Fisher, who forged his political career in Cumberland County before becoming New Jersey’s Secretary of Agriculture, today endorsed Bayly Winder for the Democratic nomination to take on Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis).
“Bayly Winder understands what it takes to strengthen South Jersey’s economy, make life more affordable for communities, and stand up for farmers,” Fisher said in a statement. “He knows how high the stakes are for the midterm elections and his platform is focused on what matters most to voters.”
Fisher, a Bridgeton native and a former Cumberland County freeholder, was elected to the State Assembly in 2001 on a ticket with Steve Sweeney and John Burzichelli, flipping the 3rd district in Cumberland, Salem, and Gloucester Counties from the GOP.
Sweeney and Burzichelli went on to have long and prominent legislative careers, but Fisher had other designs: in 2009, the final year of Gov. Jon Corzine’s term, he was chosen by the State Board of Agriculture to be the next Secretary of Agriculture. (Unique among New Jersey Cabinet posts, the position is not nominated directly by the governor, but instead is chosen by the eight-member agriculture industry group and ratified by the governor.)
When Gov. Chris Christie took office in 2010, he made moves to oust Fisher, but Sweeney successfully pushed Christie to keep him in place. Fisher continued to hold the job through Gov. Phil Murphy’s tenure, but decided to step down in 2023 after 14 years; he considered running for his old job in the State Assembly that year, but declined.
Though he hasn’t sought elected office in nearly two decades, Fisher’s endorsement is still a notable get for Winder, one of four Democrats running for the conservative-leaning 2nd district next year. Among Winder’s foes is Tim Alexander, who got a substantial amount of local Democratic support during his campaigns for the same district in both 2022 and 2024.
Winder, a former USAID official who returned to New Jersey ahead of his run for Congress, also has the endorsement of another politician from an earlier era of South Jersey Democratic politics: former 1st district Assemblyman Edward Salmon (D-Millville), who backed Winder last week. None of the nine Democratic legislators who will represent parts of the 2nd congressional district next year, however, have made endorsements in the race.
