Former Atlantic County Democratic chairman says he has not made a final decision on challenging Republican Sen. Vince Polistina in District 2
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP — Former Atlantic County Democratic Chairman Michael Suleiman is publicly acknowledging that he is seriously considering a run for the New Jersey Senate in 2027.
Suleiman, appearing Thursday on The Don Williams Show on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND, said he has not declared his candidacy but confirmed that he is weighing a run in the 2nd Legislative District.
“We're strongly considering running for the Senate next year in District 2, but, you know, not a declared candidate yet,” Suleiman said.
He told Williams that when he has a decision to announce, he intends to return to the show to make it public.
The District 2 Senate seat is currently held by Republican Vince Polistina, who has served in the Senate since 2021. The district covers part of Atlantic County.
Suleiman joked about the possibility of challenging Polistina.
“I'm sure I won't be getting a Christmas card from Vince Polistina anytime soon,” Suleiman said.
But he stressed that he is still conducting what he described as “due diligence” and talking with people about a potential campaign.
A Longtime Figure in Atlantic County Democratic Politics
A Suleiman candidacy would put a familiar Atlantic County political figure into the District 2 race.
Suleiman spent a decade as chairman of the Atlantic County Democratic Committee before Walead Abdrabouh succeeded him in June. He had announced in 2024 that he would not seek another term as chairman and said at the time that he was looking toward a “next chapter in public service.”
Suleiman was first elected county Democratic chairman in 2016. He previously worked for six years as an aide and adviser to the late state Sen. Jim Whelan and has been involved in Democratic politics since his teenage years.
Speculation about a possible Suleiman Senate campaign predates Thursday's interview. Earlier this year, local political coverage described a potential 2027 challenge to Polistina as an “open secret,” while noting that Suleiman had not publicly confirmed such plans at the time.
Thursday's comments go considerably further: Suleiman himself now says he is strongly considering the race.
‘Atlantic County Needs Help’
Suleiman connected his consideration of a Senate campaign to concerns about Atlantic County's economy and Atlantic City in particular.
He pointed to the uncertain future of the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel and raised concerns about other potential job losses in the casino industry.
“Atlantic County needs help,” Suleiman said. “And quite frankly, I don't know where any of our — I shouldn't say many — I don't know where a good chunk of our elected officials are.”
He specifically criticized Polistina and other South Jersey elected officials, saying he believes they should be more vocal about potential economic problems facing the region. Those comments represent Suleiman's political assessment; Polistina has been active on a number of Atlantic County and Atlantic City issues during the current legislative session, including sponsoring legislation involving school-district fiscal oversight.
Suleiman also said he has been speaking with political figures around New Jersey as he considers his future.
“I have relationships all throughout New Jersey,” he said. “One of the things that I'd like to do, whether I run or not, is how do we leverage those relationships to help Atlantic County.”
Suleiman also mentioned rumors he said he has heard about possible future layoffs at Bally's Atlantic City and a potential condominium conversion involving Golden Nugget Atlantic City. South Jersey NewsBeat has not independently confirmed either claim, and Suleiman presented them as information he had heard rather than established plans.
Decision Still to Come
For now, Suleiman remains a potential candidate rather than a declared one.
His comments Thursday nevertheless provide his clearest public indication yet that he is considering seeking the District 2 Senate seat in 2027.
“When we have news to break on that,” Suleiman told Williams, “I will be giving you a call.”
Michael Suleiman discussed his political future Thursday on The Don Williams Show, heard Monday through Friday from 6 to 10 a.m. on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND.
About the Author
Scott Stephens
Scott has been an on-air personality, producer and newscaster for 30+ years. He has been a mainstay in the South Jersey Community and on the air across many different area stations. Scott can currently be heard on Kool 98.3 and News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND.
