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Christopher Musto
From Ballotpedia
Christopher Musto (Republican Party) is running for election to the New Jersey General Assembly to represent District 36. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025. He advanced from the Republican primary on June 10, 2025.
Musto completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Christopher Musto was born in New Jersey. He earned a high school diploma from Rutherford High School and a bachelor's degree from William Paterson University in 1997. His career experience includes working as a security professional.[1]
Elections
2025
See also: New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2025
General election
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
General election for New Jersey General Assembly District 36 (2 seats)
Incumbent Clinton Calabrese, incumbent Gary Schaer, Diane DeBiase, and Christopher Musto are running in the general election for New Jersey General Assembly District 36 on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
 | Clinton Calabrese (D) | |
 | Gary Schaer (D) | |
 | Diane DeBiase (R) | |
 | Christopher Musto (R)  | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for New Jersey General Assembly District 36 (2 seats)
Incumbent Gary Schaer and incumbent Clinton Calabrese advanced from the Democratic primary for New Jersey General Assembly District 36 on June 10, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Gary Schaer | 50.3 | 10,557 |
| ✔ | | Clinton Calabrese | 49.7 | 10,449 |
| Total votes: 21,006 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for New Jersey General Assembly District 36 (2 seats)
Christopher Musto and Diane DeBiase defeated Chris Auriemma and Craig Auriemma in the Republican primary for New Jersey General Assembly District 36 on June 10, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Christopher Musto | 32.9 | 3,090 |
| ✔ | | Diane DeBiase | 30.5 | 2,863 |
 | Chris Auriemma | 20.3 | 1,901 | |
| Craig Auriemma | 16.3 | 1,526 | ||
| Total votes: 9,380 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
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Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Christopher Musto completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Musto's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I am a recently retired Homeland Security executive and life-long resident of New Jersey’s 36th Legislative district. Together with my wife, Maria, a teacher and two children, Alyssa, a nurse and Nicholas, who is still in school, we have lived in Lyndhurst for twenty- five years. During the 27 years I served as a Special Agent with the Department of Homeland Security, I conducted and oversaw hundreds of investigations, involving transnational criminal organizations, narcotics traffickers, money laundering, terrorism, gangs and violent criminals. I served two terms on the Lyndhurst Board of Education, two years as its president. I have been a volunteer coach for youth sports, a member of the PBA, Rotary Club and NRA.
- We must secure our communities by revoking the “Sanctuary” status of the State of New Jersey. Our great local, county and State police agencies must be able to cooperate with ICE to remove criminals from our streets. They must be able to collaborate and share intelligence where necessary, to deter and disrupt crime. Both issues created under the Sanctuary State status. New Jersey’s bail system is broken and must be overhauled. Protection of our citizens must be the priority. Our communities and residents deserve to be secure from recidivist offenders, who are arrested and released before the officer has even completed his/her paperwork.
- New Jersey has the highest property tax, income tax and business tax in the Country - we need to cut those across the board. Return that money to our hard-working taxpayers, assist our small business, support and grow our local economy. We need a permanent Senior property tax freeze and create a property tax cap. We must significantly reduce income tax rates and business tax rates. New Jersey must stop creating regulation for regulation’s sake, which only impedes the creation of new business. New Jersey’s outmigration is off the charts, a direct result of high taxes, restrictive business regulations and challenging policies.
- We must address affordable housing unit mandates for each town within New Jersey, where each area has been issued an order to provide a certain number of units. The number required to shape, construct and provide over the next 10 years is absurd. In district 36 alone, we are forced to create over 6,500 new units. Four of District 36’s towns are already among the top twenty most densely populated places in the most densely populated State in the U.S. Let us consider overdue and much needed infrastructure enhancements before requiring more housing units and even greater density. Our residents need clean affordable living accommodation, but we need to create them through smarter and well-thought-out plans and initiatives, not mandates.
Health, education and the general welfare of the public are areas of equal importance to me, evoking my passion and action. These have been the focus of my professional life in law enforcement. Secure neighborhoods, solid public education that provides our children with opportunity and prioritizing the spending of taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars, making the greatest possible positive impact on their lives. We must design governments that encourage people to work hard and do their best, while respecting others.
I was fortunate to grow up among many hard-working and successful family members and close friends. Throughout my career, I worked with the best law enforcement leaders who taught me well. My parents, grandparents, and uncles helped shape my work ethic. I would be remiss in not acknowledging my wife, Maria, who keeps me grounded. I admire how she balances her life as a wife, mom, teacher, daughter, all while being a good friend to all and so much more. I shaped my leadership style and commitment by reading and watching successful, innovative people in government and private industry. Team builders who provide support, resources and guidance to others, helping the group move forward are those whose example I would follow.
There are many terrific books that I have read along with leadership lessons observed or listened to over the years. However, I would say “Start with Why” or “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek or “Extreme Ownership” by Jocko Willink / Leif Babin are enjoyable books that helped shape my leadership philosophy, leadership style and work ethic.
Honor, Integrity and Service are essential for elected officials. To complete a task or resolve an issue and continue, even when presented with strong headwinds, a leader needs Dedication, Determination and Desire to finish a project or task.
I have lived my personal and professional life with Honor, Integrity and Service. I've led successful teams, created productive coalitions and some of the greatest accomplishments in my professional career were gained through collaboration. Trust and hard-work will be essential to build relationships, accomplish goals and advance legislation. This is how I will serve the people of District 36 and throughout New Jersey.
Do no harm. Identify the most principal issues facing the district, listen to the residents and when elected, work hard to create legislation that addresses those issues and concerns.
Being remembered as someone who used my skills and influence to solve problems, improving the lives of those living in both District 36 and throughout New Jersey.
When I was 7 years old, I remember Ronald Reagan being elected President. Tragically, I remember soon after a shooter attempted to assassinate him. I remember thinking that was a horrifying and sick way to express disagreement with someone’s opinions and actions.
When I was 12 years old, I was a paper boy, delivering The Herald News. How well I remember how Sundays were the worst! I also mowed lawns in the summer. I had the paper route for a little over a year and continued mowing lawns through high school.
“Read many of books about heroes and crooks and I learned much from both of their styles,” Jimmy Buffett. That is one of my favorite lyrics and it is true for me.
I have also read many books on leadership and critical thinking. However, my favorite book is “Hooked: Pirates, Poaching and the Perfect Fish,” by G. Bruce Knecht, because I was in it. The author interviewed me regarding a complex, international smuggling investigation I conducted.
I have also read many books on leadership and critical thinking. However, my favorite book is “Hooked: Pirates, Poaching and the Perfect Fish,” by G. Bruce Knecht, because I was in it. The author interviewed me regarding a complex, international smuggling investigation I conducted.
My career allowed me to participate in situations that sounded like fiction. I would love to be Superman.
Just to Say We Did - Kenny Chesney
Observing situations from afar, having the knowledge or ability to bring about a solution and not having an opportunity to assist. This struggle is a motivating factor to my decision to seek election to the NJ State Assembly. I see issues and deficiencies within the State of New Jersey begging for correction. Instead of sitting on the sidelines and complaining about them, I want to be involved, I want to make positive changes.
The Governor should have a vision of what he/she would want to accomplish during his or her term and express that view clearly to the legislature. The legislator needs to consider and determine whether that plan aligns with their own vision and constituents’ needs. If the legislature and Governor do not completely agree on goals, objectives or agenda, they will need to work to find common ground. Communication is extremely important, as is trust and respect.
New Jersey is facing ever increasing property taxes, the highest income and business tax rates and an incredibly restrictive regulatory climate. Additionally, NJ has enormous increase in mandated affordable housing over the next 10 years. The execution of this multi-faceted, complex, formal will place an increased strain on our infrastructure but provides no means to provide essential services. These issues are driving residents and business out of the State. Over the next 4 years, we will need to address these challenges and stop outmigration. We will need to attract business and families, not to turn them away.
While previous experience in government may be beneficial to understand process and procedure, it is not essential. Leadership experience, where you have been able to successfully influence others toward a common goal is more helpful. Government, in particular political positions, require effective communication skills, trust, perseverance, tenacity and ability to build coalitions. Acquiring and honing these skills is the product of a variety of life experiences, not just holding public office.
Absolutely, it would be impossible to pass a law or advance a vision alone. Relationship building and collaboration are fundamental to being successful in public service, along with trust. Building strong and productive relationships is the result of mutual trust and respect. If there is trust and respect, other legislators will be more inclined to work together to advance an issue. In my career, I would always try to help support other law enforcement officers and agencies to complete a task or bring a case to a successful conclusion. This process creates relationships to be drawn upon repeatedly in the future.
Ronald Reagan from a higher level, but I do not have a specific person from State legislature. I align myself with legislators who are strong leaders, dedicated to their constituents and work hard to do what they say.
It would be an honor to serve as a member of the NJ Assembly. I would work hard to serve the people of District 36 and the State of New Jersey. It is the position I will give one hundred percent of my effort.
I hear from various small business owners who are frustrated with New Jersey’s restrictive regulatory environment, fees and high taxes. They consider moving their business out of New Jersey or selling because of the challenging landscape. This is impactful and upsetting. People born and raised in New Jersey, working to create a business and prosperous, safe, comfortable life for their families, are considering leaving the State because of poor policies.
"It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first." Not my joke, but Ronald Reagan's.
When considering the balance of power in government (whether State of Federal) between the three branches and the granting emergency powers, the legislative branch must maintain a way to curtail such authority. Once the emergency has subsided, the executive order should be scrutinized by the legislative branch before continuing enforcement of whatever rule or regulation was put into effect. The constitutionality of any action taken by the governor must be subject to review by the Legislature to be sure there is truly an imminent crisis that requires such action. The Legislature must never just take a back seat and abdicate this duty.
End New Jersey’s sanctuary state status, allow our exceptional law enforcement officers the ability to cooperate with ICE and change the failed bail reform system that allows the release of recidivist criminals.
My election to the NJ Legislature is an honor and I will serve any committee I am assigned. My experience and training are particularly pertinent to Public Safety and Preparedness; Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations; Appropriations; Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture.
These are essential practices needed to gain trust in the process of government. Effective management is dependent upon transparent government, one that fosters a feeling in its citizens of comfort with their representatives and one that will use public resources productively when delivering services.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign finance summary
Campaign finance information for this candidate is not yet available from OpenSecrets. That information will be published here once it is available.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on January 13, 2025
Current members of the New Jersey General Assembly
Leadership
Representatives
Democratic Party (52)
Republican Party (28)
