Steven Pylypchuk

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Steven Pylypchuk

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Candidate, New Jersey General Assembly District 25

Elections and appointments
Next election

November 4, 2025

Education

High school

Bloomfield High School

Bachelor's

Stevens Institute of Technology, 2008

Graduate

Stevens Institute of Technology, 2015

Personal
Birthplace
New York, N.Y.
Religion
Atheist
Profession
Civil engineer
Contact

Steven Pylypchuk (Democratic Party) is running for election to the New Jersey General Assembly to represent District 25. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025. He advanced from the Democratic primary on June 10, 2025.

Pylypchuk completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Steven Pylypchuk was born in New York, New York. He earned a high school diploma from Bloomfield High School, a bachelor's degree from the Stevens Institute of Technology in 2008, and a graduate degree from the Stevens Institute of Technology in 2015. Pylypchuk's career experience includes working as a civil engineer.[1]

Elections

2025

See also: New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2025

General election

General election for New Jersey General Assembly District 25 (2 seats)

Incumbent Christian Barranco, incumbent Aura Kenny Dunn, Steven Pylypchuk, and Marisa Sweeney are running in the general election for New Jersey General Assembly District 25 on November 4, 2025.


Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for New Jersey General Assembly District 25 (2 seats)

Marisa Sweeney and Steven Pylypchuk advanced from the Democratic primary for New Jersey General Assembly District 25 on June 10, 2025.

Candidate
%
Votes
Marisa Sweeney
 
52.4
 
18,024
Steven Pylypchuk Candidate Connection
 
47.6
 
16,376

Total votes: 34,400
Candidate Connection = 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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Republican primary election

Republican primary for New Jersey General Assembly District 25 (2 seats)

Incumbent Christian Barranco and incumbent Aura Kenny Dunn advanced from the Republican primary for New Jersey General Assembly District 25 on June 10, 2025.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Christian Barranco
Christian Barranco
 
50.6
 
14,070
Image of Aura Kenny Dunn
Aura Kenny Dunn
 
49.4
 
13,756

Total votes: 27,826
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Pylypchuk received the following endorsements. To send us additional endorsements, click here.

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Steven Pylypchuk completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Pylypchuk'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’m Steve Pylypchuk, a civil engineer, councilman, husband, and father running for New Jersey State Assembly in District 25. I’ve spent nearly a decade in public service—leading Morristown’s Zoning Board, serving as an Environmental Commissioner, and working to make government more accountable to the people it serves. As an engineer, I’ve managed major infrastructure projects like LaGuardia, JFK, and post-Sandy reconstruction, solving complex challenges with practical, future-ready solutions.

I’m running because New Jersey is at a breaking point. Families are being priced out by skyrocketing housing costs and property taxes. NJ Transit is failing commuters. Corporate landlords are making homeownership impossible. And too many politicians are protecting the status quo instead of fighting for working people.

I believe leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about bringing people together to build a better future. That means fixing what’s broken, fighting for working families, and making sure our state works for us, not just for those at the top. As part of Democrats for Change, I’m ready to deliver real progress—not empty promises.

It’s time for bold action. It’s time to put families over corporations. It’s time to build a new New Jersey.
  • Fix What’s Broken, Build for the Future New Jersey’s infrastructure is crumbling, and NJ Transit is failing working families. As a civil engineer, I’ve led major projects like JFK, LaGuardia, and Superstorm Sandy recovery efforts—I know how to get things done. In the Assembly, I’ll fight to fix NJ Transit, improve roads, and invest in resilient, climate-smart infrastructure.
  • Families Over Corporations From skyrocketing housing costs to unaffordable childcare, everyday New Jerseyans are struggling while corporate interests profit. I’ll push for policies that support working families: affordable housing, tenant protections, universal pre-K, and real tax relief—not giveaways to the ultra-wealthy.
  • Leadership That Works for You Politics should be about solutions, not the same old names protecting the status quo. I’m running to shake things up—because leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about bringing people together to build a better New Jersey.
I’m passionate about fixing New Jersey’s infrastructure, making our state more affordable, and ensuring equal rights for all. As a civil engineer, I’ve spent my career building solutions that last—I’ll fight to fix NJ Transit, improve roads, and invest in climate-resilient projects. Housing affordability is another crisis I won’t ignore. I support zoning reform, tenant protections, and policies that make homeownership possible for working families, not just corporate investors. I’m also deeply committed to protecting reproductive rights, expanding LGBTQ+ protections, and ensuring every family has access to affordable childcare and universal pre-K.
I’ve always admired Theodore Roosevelt for his bold leadership and relentless drive to improve the lives of everyday people. He was a fighter—whether it was taking on corporate monopolies, expanding conservation efforts, or ensuring fairness for workers, he led with action, not just words. While he was a product of his time, his belief in progressive change, his hands-on approach to problem-solving, and his willingness to challenge entrenched power are qualities I strive to embody in public service. Like Roosevelt, I believe leadership is about stepping into the arena and making a difference, not sitting on the sidelines maintaining the status quo.
I’d recommend The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt (1979), Theodore Rex (2001), and Colonel Roosevelt (2010) by Edmund Morris. These books paint a detailed picture of a leader who wasn’t afraid to challenge entrenched power, take bold action, and fight for policies that served the greater good. Roosevelt was a reformer—whether it was breaking up monopolies, expanding national parks, or building the Panama Canal, he believed in leadership that was hands-on, practical, and unafraid of big challenges.

At the same time, Roosevelt was a product of his era, and not all of his views or policies align with modern values. But his approach to leadership—his belief in fairness, his willingness to take on corporate greed, and his commitment to making government work for all people—remains relevant today. Like TR, I believe in a government that prioritizes working families over corporate interests, invests in long-term infrastructure, and isn’t afraid to take decisive action when the moment demands it.
An elected official should be guided by integrity, accountability, and a deep commitment to public service. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about listening to people, learning from their experiences, and bringing communities together to create solutions.

Honesty and transparency are essential. Voters deserve leaders who are upfront about their priorities and decision-making, not politicians who hide behind bureaucracy or serve special interests. Elected officials should also be responsive—government isn’t about political games, it’s about real people’s lives. If you reach out with a concern, you deserve a representative who listens and takes action.

I also believe in bold leadership. Too often, politicians are content with maintaining the status quo because it’s easier than fighting for change. But New Jersey needs leaders who are willing to challenge outdated policies, rethink broken systems, and push for solutions that will actually make life better for working families. That means prioritizing infrastructure, housing affordability, and family-friendly policies—not just protecting those who already have power.

Ultimately, an elected official must be someone who fights for the people they represent, remains grounded in their community, and is unafraid to challenge the status quo to create meaningful change.
I bring problem-solving, persistence, and a results-driven approach to public service. As a civil engineer, I’ve worked on massive infrastructure projects, coordinating with different stakeholders to get things done—on time and under budget. That experience has taught me how to navigate complex challenges and find real, practical solutions, not just talk about problems.

I also believe in listening before leading—good ideas don’t just come from politicians, they come from the people living these challenges every day. My time on the Morristown Council has reinforced that governing isn’t about pushing an agenda; it’s about engaging communities, understanding their needs, and working alongside them to deliver results.

Most importantly, I don’t back down from a fight when it matters. Whether it’s fixing NJ Transit, making housing more affordable, or standing up for equal rights, I’m running to take on the hard fights—not to maintain the status quo.
The role of a State Assembly member is to be both a problem solver and an advocate for their constituents. That means drafting smart, effective policies, securing resources for local communities, and ensuring state government is working for the people it serves.

One of the biggest responsibilities is holding state agencies accountable—whether it’s NJ Transit failing commuters, corporate landlords driving up housing costs, or state policies that make it harder for working families to thrive. Legislators should push for stronger oversight, transparency, and policies that directly improve people’s lives.

Another critical duty is ensuring New Jersey is prepared for the future. That means investing in infrastructure that is resilient to climate change, fixing mass transit so people can get to work reliably, and ensuring housing is affordable so the next generation can build a life here.

Ultimately, being an Assembly member isn’t just about passing bills—it’s about making government work for you.
I want to leave a legacy of real change, not just political promises—to be known as someone who didn’t just talk about what’s broken but actually fixed things. Whether it’s making New Jersey’s infrastructure more resilient, ensuring families can afford to live here, or protecting fundamental rights, I want my time in office to be measured by tangible results.

More than anything, I want to prove that leadership isn’t about having a famous last name or climbing the political ladder—it’s about getting things done for the people you serve. If I can inspire more everyday people to step up and lead, then that’s a legacy worth fighting for.
I was 15 years old and a sophomore in high school when the attacks on September 11, 2001 happened. Like so many others, I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news—the shock, the uncertainty, and the realization that the world had just changed forever. That moment shaped my understanding of resilience, of how communities pull together in times of crisis, and of how leadership is about stepping up when people need you most.

But 9/11 wasn’t the only defining event of my generation. Just two years earlier, Columbine made it clear that schools were no longer untouchable safe havens. I grew up in a time when active shooter drills became routine, when we normalized the idea that students had to be prepared for the unthinkable. We’ve witnessed financial crashes, endless wars, climate disasters, political upheaval, and attacks on basic rights. It would be easy to become cynical, to believe that nothing can change.

Yet, despite everything, I still believe. We still believe. My generation has faced crisis after crisis, but we keep showing up, demanding better, and working to build a future where our kids don’t have to live with the same fears we did. That’s why I’m running—not because I think change is easy, but because I refuse to accept that this is as good as it gets. We’ve lived through history, and now it’s time to shape it.
I was a bagger at my local supermarket for a summer when I was 14.
I’d have to go with The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris. It’s a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and pushing forward even when the odds are against you. Roosevelt was far from perfect, but his relentless drive to improve the country, take on corporate greed, and fight for everyday people is something I admire. His story is a reminder that real leadership isn’t about playing it safe—it’s about having the courage to challenge the status quo.
Tropic Morning News by The National
Balancing work, family, and public service has been one of my biggest challenges. Like so many working parents, my wife and I have faced the realities of high childcare costs, career demands, and the everyday stress of making it all work. I’ve had moments where I felt stretched thin, trying to be the best father, husband, professional, and public servant I can be.

But that struggle has also shaped my priorities. It’s why I fight for affordable childcare, stronger worker protections, and a government that actually supports families instead of making life harder. I understand these challenges because I live them, and I want to make sure the next generation doesn’t have to make the same sacrifices just to build a life in New Jersey.
The ideal relationship between the governor and the legislature should be one of collaboration, accountability, and respect for the legislative process. While the governor sets the agenda for the state, it’s the legislature’s job to craft policies that reflect the needs of constituents—not just rubber-stamp executive priorities. Healthy debate and negotiation are essential to ensure that policies are not just effective but equitable.

At the same time, gridlock and partisan gamesmanship serve no one. The best outcomes come when the governor and legislators engage in good-faith problem-solving while maintaining checks and balances. We need a legislature that is independent, proactive, and focused on results, not just responding to the governor’s proposals.
New Jersey faces significant challenges that will shape our future. Housing affordability is a crisis—corporate landlords are driving up costs, homeownership is slipping out of reach for working families, and exclusionary zoning keeps too many people locked out of opportunity. We need bold solutions to make housing accessible and affordable.

Infrastructure is another critical issue. NJ Transit is unreliable, our roads and bridges need upgrades, and climate change is increasing the risk of flooding and extreme weather. We need investments in mass transit, resilient infrastructure, and smart urban planning.

Finally, we must fight to keep New Jersey affordable for the next generation. High property taxes and the rising cost of living are forcing too many people to leave the state. We need policies that prioritize working families over corporate interests—expanding childcare, strengthening public education, and ensuring economic opportunity for all.
Experience in government can be valuable, but it’s not a prerequisite for leadership. What matters most is having the ability to solve problems, stand up for working families, and push for real change—not just holding a title.

As a councilman, I’ve seen firsthand how government works—and where it fails. That experience has given me insight into how to get things done, navigate bureaucracy, and fight for my constituents. But I don’t believe that time in office alone makes someone qualified. We need leaders with real-world expertise—engineers, educators, small business owners, healthcare professionals—people who understand the struggles of everyday New Jerseyans and bring fresh solutions to the table.

The real danger is career politicians who hold office because of name recognition, not because they have a vision for change. That’s why I’m running—to shake up the status quo, push for bold reforms, and remind people that leadership isn’t about how long you’ve been in politics. It’s about what you’re willing to do to make life better for the people you serve.
Absolutely. Progress doesn’t happen in a vacuum—building coalitions and working across the aisle is key to passing meaningful legislation. While I believe in bold leadership, I also know that real change requires collaboration.

Relationships with fellow legislators help build trust, open the door to bipartisan solutions, and ensure that good ideas don’t get lost in political gridlock. It’s especially important when tackling statewide issues like NJ Transit reform, housing affordability, and infrastructure investment—issues that impact all New Jerseyans, regardless of party.

That doesn’t mean compromising on core values. It means finding common ground where possible and standing firm when necessary. My approach is simple: put people over politics, seek allies where you can, and never back down from a fight that matters.
Theodore Roosevelt is one of my biggest inspirations. While he was a product of his time, his leadership style—bold, action-driven, and unafraid to challenge entrenched power—is exactly what we need today. He believed in fairness, took on corporate monopolies, and fought to make government work for all people, not just the wealthy or well-connected. His relentless energy and belief in public service resonate deeply with me.

On a modern level, I admire leaders who prioritize grassroots change over establishment politics—those who aren’t afraid to shake things up and push for bold reforms. Whether it’s on infrastructure, housing, or protecting equal rights, I want to be the kind of legislator who gets things done and refuses to accept "business as usual" as the status quo.
Right now, my focus is on serving the people of New Jersey’s 25th District and making real progress in the State Assembly. Too many politicians treat every office as just a stepping stone to the next, and that’s not my approach. I’m running because I believe we need leaders who are focused on solutions, not their next campaign.

That said, my commitment to public service doesn’t end with one election. If there’s an opportunity to continue making a meaningful impact at a higher level in the future, I’ll always be open to that conversation. But for now, my priority is fixing what’s broken in New Jersey—starting with infrastructure, affordability, and standing up for working families.
The stories that have impacted me the most are the ones that mirror my own experiences—because I know firsthand how hard it can be for working families to get ahead in New Jersey.

My parents worked tirelessly to build a life here, but rising property taxes nearly forced them out of their home before they ultimately retired out of state. My wife and I have faced the struggle of affording childcare while balancing careers. And like so many others, we’ve seen the housing market make it harder for young families to put down roots in the communities they love.

These are not just my experiences—I hear the same concerns from families across my district. I’ve met parents who are stretched thin by the cost of raising kids, seniors worried they’ll be priced out of the only home they’ve ever known, and young professionals who feel like homeownership is slipping out of reach.

Hearing these stories reinforces why I’m running. We need real solutions—affordable housing, property tax relief, and policies that make New Jersey a place where families can stay and thrive. These experiences aren’t just statistics to me; they are personal, and they have moved me to act.
Yes, but with clear checks and balances. In times of crisis, the governor needs the ability to act quickly, whether it’s responding to a natural disaster, a public health emergency, or another urgent situation. However, those powers should never be unlimited or indefinite. The legislature must play an oversight role to ensure that emergency measures are necessary, effective, and do not infringe on civil liberties.

We saw during the COVID-19 pandemic how emergency powers can be essential for protecting public health, but also how they can lead to overreach if left unchecked. The legislature must have a mechanism to review, modify, or end emergency powers to ensure they remain in the public’s best interest.
The Universal Pre-K and Childcare Affordability Act

New Jersey families are struggling with the rising cost of childcare, often paying more than their rent or mortgage. Meanwhile, parents face long waitlists for quality care, and providers struggle to keep up due to staffing shortages. This bill directly addresses the crisis by expanding universal pre-K, increasing access to affordable childcare, and providing financial relief for working parents.

The bill would expand universal pre-K statewide, ensuring every child has access to early learning regardless of income or zip code. It builds on the successful Morris School District’s public-private pre-K model, which has reduced costs while maintaining high-quality education. By increasing state funding and adding pre-K slots, we can help more families access early education without excessive costs.

To ease the burden on parents, the bill would establish a tax credit for working families to offset childcare expenses and expand direct subsidies for low- and middle-income families. No parent should have to choose between financial stability and quality care for their child.

It would also support childcare providers by funding new centers in underserved areas, reducing “childcare deserts” where families lack options. Additionally, it would create incentives for businesses to provide on-site childcare or subsidies, helping parents stay in the workforce. To retain qualified staff, the bill would also invest in higher wages and better training for childcare workers.

Investing in childcare strengthens families, the workforce, and the economy. Reliable, affordable childcare keeps parents working, reduces business turnover, and gives children a strong start in life. This bill makes childcare a priority—not a privilege—and ensures New Jersey is a place where families can stay and thrive.
The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is one of my top interests. New Jersey’s roads, bridges, and transit systems are failing, and as a civil engineer, I know how to fix them. We need massive investments in NJ Transit, better intra-state transportation options, and forward-thinking infrastructure that’s resilient to climate change.

I’m also deeply interested in the Housing and Community Development Committee. New Jersey has an affordability crisis, and we need policies that promote mixed-income developments, protect tenants, and limit corporate ownership of single-family homes. If we don’t act now, homeownership will slip further out of reach for working families.

Finally, the Environment and Solid Waste Committee is critical. New Jersey is already feeling the effects of climate change—flooding, rising temperatures, and environmental degradation. I’ll fight for stronger clean energy policies, better flood mitigation, and smarter urban planning that prioritizes sustainability.

These committees align with my expertise and my commitment to making New Jersey more affordable, equitable, and future-ready.
Government should work for the people—not behind closed doors, and certainly not for corporate donors or political insiders. Financial transparency is non-negotiable. Taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent, and there should be clear oversight to ensure public funds aren’t wasted on inefficiency or special favors.

I support stricter disclosure laws for state contracts and lobbying, making campaign finance more transparent, and reducing the influence of big money in politics. Pay-to-play politics is one of the biggest problems in New Jersey, and we need to stop elected officials from serving special interests instead of their constituents.

Additionally, agencies like NJ Transit and the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency need stronger oversight. We can’t just throw money at failing systems—we need accountability measures that ensure funding actually improves services, not just props up inefficient bureaucracies.

Good government starts with trust. If people don’t believe their leaders are working for them, democracy fails. That’s why I’ll always fight for transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership.
A state ballot initiative process could be beneficial if designed carefully, but it also has risks. On one hand, it gives citizens a direct say in policy decisions, empowering voters to enact change when the legislature fails to act. This could be particularly useful for issues like housing reform, environmental protections, or ethics laws that politicians might avoid due to special interests.

However, ballot initiatives can also be manipulated by well-funded special interest groups, leading to misleading campaigns and unintended consequences. We’ve seen in other states how poorly worded or heavily lobbied ballot measures can create long-term problems.

If New Jersey were to adopt a ballot initiative process, it would need strong safeguards—clear language requirements, public education efforts, and limits on corporate influence—to ensure it truly reflects the will of the people, not just the wealthiest donors.

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


External links

Footnotes

  1. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 11, 2025


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