Alex Zdan — Candidate Profile

Party: Republican

Running in: New Jersey Senate Race

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Alex Zdan

RepublicanNew Jersey Senate Race
Campaign Website →

Summary

Alex Zdan is a 38-year-old former News 12 New Jersey political reporter and host of the weekly program 'Power & Politics.' He spent six years reporting for News 12 before being laid off in 2023, developing a reputation for aggressive questioning style. Zdan subsequently pivoted to conservative politics and media commentary, becoming a regular on Fox News, Newsmax, News Nation, and other conservative outlets. He launched his own political group, ALFA PAC (Authentic Leadership for America), and serves as a political contributor to TV Asia. Running for the second time for Senate after withdrawing from the 2024 race to endorse Curtis Bashaw, Zdan positions himself as an outsider fighting against corruption and Democratic governance. He has received endorsements from multiple county Republican organizations including Passaic, Ewing Township, Mercer, and Cape May.

Background

Alex Zdan is a 38-year-old from Mercer County, New Jersey. He spent six years as a political reporter and anchor for News 12 New Jersey, where he hosted the weekly 'Power & Politics' show and developed a reputation for aggressive questioning of Democratic politicians, particularly Governor Phil Murphy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was noted as one of the few reporters questioning lockdowns and mask mandates. After being laid off from News 12 in 2023, Zdan transitioned to conservative political media and commentary, becoming a regular guest on Fox News, Newsmax, News Nation, NDTV, and Times Now. He has written true crime features and founded ALFA PAC to support conservative political causes. Zdan is pursuing a career as a conservative political commentator and candidate after an initial 2024 Senate run that was derailed by disclosure of a prior DUI and leaving-the-scene-of-accident charge. In his 2024 statement, he acknowledged the incident and asked for forgiveness, stating his commitment to personal improvement.

Campaign Platform

Immigration
Fight Illegal Immigration
Pledges to empower law enforcement to work with ICE in removing criminal illegal aliens and secure the southern border; criticizes Democratic politicians for 'reckless, performative policies'
Healthcare
Strengthen Healthcare Independence
Unshackle Americans from abusive healthcare companies and continue efforts to drive down the cost of prescription drugs
Environment
Environmental Restoration
Lead fight to clean up environmental wastelands like those created by Newark's lead water crisis; conserve wilderness areas in the tradition of Theodore Roosevelt
Energy Independence
Criticizes Democrats' 'wind boondoggle' that residents 'footed the tax bill for' and resulted in high energy rates; advocates for energy solutions that don't burden taxpayers
Other
Food Security and Nutrition
Ensure all Americans, including those in military, schools, and on government assistance, have access to healthy, safe food; strengthen nutritional standards and support small farmers
Break Up Big Tech
Enforce anti-trust laws to break Big Tech's 'stranglehold on power' after companies have 'poisoned the minds of children and censored Americans' viewpoints'
Defense
Military Strength and Defense
Back the greatest military with better pay for troops, larger Navy and Air Force, and streamlined procurement for advanced weaponry; prepare for great power conflict without seeking foreign conflicts
Counter CCP Threats
Smash CCP infiltration on college campuses, ban foreign companies from buying farmland near military bases, and end illegal CCP spying and police stations on U.S. soil

Key Issue Positions

COVID-19 Response Criticism

Criticized lockdowns, vaccinations, and mask mandates during pandemic

During COVID pandemic, Zdan was 'one of the only reporters who dared to ask tough questions about lockdowns, vaccinations and mask executive orders,' with contentious exchanges with Governor Phil Murphy carried live across the region

Voting History: No voting record (not in elected office)

Corruption Fighting

Promises to 'fight corruption like no one you've ever seen'

As journalist, won First Amendment awards for stories exposing corruption in New Jersey; claims outsider credentials as non-politician

Voting History: No voting record

Booker's Record Attacks

Criticizes incumbent Senator Cory Booker on multiple fronts

Attacks Booker's past as Newark Mayor over water system lead contamination; criticizes pharma industry support; questions his Washington ambitions

Voting History: No voting record

Electoral History

Two-time Senate candidate with prior DUI controversy

Ran for Senate in 2024 but withdrew after disclosure of prior DUI and leaving the scene of an accident; addressed controversy by stating 'No one is perfect' and pledging personal improvement

Voting History: No voting record

Voting Record

Alex Zdan has not held elected office and therefore has no voting record in legislative positions. As a journalist and current political commentator, his public positions are reflected in his media appearances and campaign statements rather than legislative votes.

Social Media Activity

Zdan's public messaging combines investigative journalist framing ('exposing corruption') with partisan Republican talking points. His campaign materials use aggressive language toward Democrats and Booker specifically, while positioning himself as a fighter and outsider. Tone reflects both media background (detailed policy analysis) and partisan advocacy (strong ideological positioning).

Recurring Themes
Criticism of Cory Booker's recordOpposition to Democratic policiesLaw and order messagingImmigration enforcementAnti-establishment positioningMedia and Big Tech criticism

Contradictions

Claim: Critical journalist who exposed corruption and asked tough questions
Reality: Laid off from News 12 in 2023; subsequent career pivoted to partisan Republican media appearances and political candidacy
Source: Career timeline from multiple news sources
Claim: Fighting corruption and representing true conservatism
Reality: Ran for Senate in 2024 but withdrew after DUI disclosure became public; previously had political relationships (endorsed Curtis Bashaw in 2024)
Source: New Jersey Globe, Public Record NJ reporting
Claim: Outsider and non-politician
Reality: Has run for Senate twice (2024, 2026), founded a political PAC (ALFA PAC), and explored congressional races; received media consulting firm Jamestown Associates support similar to establishment Republican candidates
Source: Campaign finance and political history records

What Opponents Say

Cory Booker campaign

Zdan is a partisan operative with limited qualifications

Booker campaign notes Zdan's lack of elected office experience and partisan media background

Richard Tabor

Zdan lacks military and law enforcement credentials

Tabor, a state trooper and Army combat veteran, contrasts his experience with Zdan's background

Major Donors & PACs

ALFA PAC (Authentic Leadership for America)Super PAC
Political action committee founded by Zdan in 2024 to support his political activities
Not yet fully disclosed for 2026 cycle

Endorsements

Passaic County Republican OrganizationorganizationReceived endorsement of Passaic County GOP; unanimous endorsement from Passaic County Republican Organization
Ewing Township Republican CommitteeorganizationEndorsed by Ewing Township Republicans
Cape May County Regular Republican OrganizationorganizationEndorsed by Cape May County Republicans
Essex County RepublicansorganizationSupport from Essex County GOP
Salem County RepublicansorganizationSupport from Salem County GOP
Cumberland County RepublicansorganizationEndorsement secured from Cumberland County organization

Sources

  1. Ballotpedia - Alex Zdan
  2. NJ 101.5 - Cory Booker faces challenge from Alex Zdan
  3. Alex Zdan for U.S. Senate official campaign website
  4. New Jersey Globe - Alex Zdan will challenge Cory Booker
  5. New Jersey Globe - Alex Zdan enters race for GOP nomination
  6. New Jersey Globe - Alex Zdan mulling Senate campaign
  7. Public Record NJ - Tracing Alex Zdan's political activity
  8. Insider NJ - Ewing GOP endorses Alex Zdan