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Protect Bergen County Families
The Surrogate's Court touches families at their most vulnerable moments. Every decision will be made with empathy, dignity, and the law as our guide.
Officially Endorsed · Bergen County GOP
Integrity.
Experience.
Leadership.
Serving Bergen County with fairness, compassion, and a lifetime commitment to justice — Joseph S. Conte for Surrogate.
Fundraising Goal68% Raised
$170K raised$250K goal
Fundraiser Countdown
Cocktail Reception · May 20, 2026
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★ Bergen County GOP EndorsedRetired NJ Superior Court JudgeFranklin Lakes Councilman40+ Years of Public Service
A Proven Record of Fairness and Integrity
A distinguished career built on service, scholarship, and an unshakeable commitment to Bergen County families.
Retired Superior Court Judge
Bergen County · 20 Years on the Bench
Municipal Judge & Public Defender
Decades of fair adjudication
Franklin Lakes Councilman
Elected 2025 · Planning Board
Adjunct Professor of Law
Bergen Community College
Community Charity Leadership
Rotary · Boys Club · Chamber
Bergen County GOP Endorsed
Official Republican Candidate
Meet Joseph
A lifetime devoted to justice and community.
Judge Joseph S. Conte spent twenty years on the New Jersey Superior Court for Bergen County, presiding over the Criminal and Civil divisions. Before the bench he served as a municipal judge and public defender, and today he teaches Criminal Law as an adjunct professor at Bergen Community College.
He is a former trustee of the Bergen Community College Foundation, a leader in the Rotary Club, Boys Club, and Chamber of Commerce, and a former board member of New Bridge Medical Center and the Ridgewood Red Cross.
40+
Years of Service
20
Years on the Bench
1
Bergen County
- 1970s
Begins Career in Law
Earns law degree and begins practicing across Bergen County, building a reputation for diligence and fairness.
- 1980s – 90s
Municipal Judge & Public Defender
Serves on the bench and as a public defender, ensuring every citizen receives a fair hearing.
- 2000 – 2020
Superior Court Judge, Bergen County
Twenty years on the New Jersey Superior Court — Criminal and Civil divisions — known for thoughtful, principled rulings.
- 2020 – Present
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Joins Javerbaum Wurgaft's ADR practice, mediating complex matters with the same evenhandedness that defined his bench.
- 2025
Elected to Franklin Lakes Council
Returns to elected service as Councilman and voting member of the Planning Board.
- 2026
Candidate for Bergen County Surrogate
Officially endorsed by the Bergen County Republican Organization to bring integrity to the Surrogate's office.
Why I'm Running
A Surrogate's Court worthy of Bergen County.
Four principles guide this campaign — and will guide every decision I make in office.
02
Preserve Fairness and Dignity
Two decades on the Superior Court taught me that fairness is not a slogan — it is a daily practice. Bergen County deserves that standard.
03
Serve Seniors with Compassion
Estate guardianships and probate matters demand patience and care. Seniors and their loved ones will be treated with the respect they have earned.
04
Bring Integrity Back to Public Office
Public service is a sacred trust. I will run the Surrogate's office with transparency, professionalism, and the highest ethical standards.
Featured Event
Cocktail Reception in honor of Joseph S. Conte
Hosted by The Orange Lantern & BCRO Finance Chairman Tom Toscano. Join Bergen County's most committed community leaders for an evening in support of integrity, experience, and leadership.
Date
Wed, May 20
2026
Time
6:00 – 9:00 PM
Cocktails & remarks
Location
The Orange Lantern
15 East Firehouse Ln · Paramus
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Suggested Contribution
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Four decades of legal scholarship, public service, and community leadership across Bergen County.
0+
Years of Service
0
Years on the Bench
0
Boards & Foundations
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Communities Served
★Rotary Club Leadership
★Bergen Community College Foundation
★Chamber of Commerce
★New Bridge Medical Center Board
★Ridgewood Red Cross Board
★Franklin Lakes Planning Board
News & Press
In the news.
What journalists, colleagues, and community leaders are saying about Joseph Conte's candidacy.
New Jersey Globe
In Bergen, it's septuagenarian vs octogenarian
Retired Superior Court Judge Joseph Conte enters the race for Bergen County Surrogate with the official endorsement of the county GOP.
Read article →
Javerbaum Wurgaft
Retired Judge Joseph Conte joins ADR practice
Following twenty years on the New Jersey Superior Court, Judge Conte joins Javerbaum Wurgaft's Alternative Dispute Resolution practice.
Read article →
BallotReady
Joseph S. Conte — Candidate Profile
A complete look at Joseph Conte's career, civic service, and policy commitments as a candidate for Bergen County Surrogate.
Read article →
Join the Movement
Share the campaign. Spread the message.
Bergen County's strongest endorsement is a neighbor talking to a neighbor. Share Joseph's story with your network using the campaign hashtags below.
#ConteForBergen#JosephConte#BergenCounty#LeadershipYouCanTrust#JusticeWithIntegrity
“Bergen County deserves trusted leadership.”
Conte 2026
“A lifetime of service. A future built on integrity.”
Conte 2026
“Justice with integrity. Service with heart.”
Conte 2026
“Experienced. Fair. Community-first.”
Conte 2026
“Protecting Bergen County families.”
Conte 2026
“The right judgment for the Surrogate's office.”
Conte 2026
#ConteForBergen#JosephConte#BergenCounty#LeadershipYouCanTrust#JusticeWithIntegrity#ConteForBergen#JosephConte#BergenCounty#LeadershipYouCanTrust#JusticeWithIntegrity#ConteForBergen#JosephConte#BergenCounty#LeadershipYouCanTrust#JusticeWithIntegrity
Join the Campaign
Stand with Joseph.
Volunteer your time, host an event, request a lawn sign, or simply stay in the loop. Every form of support matters.
A lifetime of service.
A future built on integrity.
Join Joseph S. Conte in protecting Bergen County families and strengthening the community we all call home.