Mary Thomas, CEO of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, recently joined ONNJ Mornings with Ken Rosato to discuss the upcoming New Jersey gubernatorial race, offering insights on how faith-based and Latino voters could play a defining role in this year’s election. Representing the country’s largest pro-family grassroots organization, Thomas highlighted the growing engagement of communities of faith in shaping New Jersey’s political future.
During the conversation, Thomas emphasized that faith and Latino voters are increasingly focused on “kitchen table issues” — the everyday economic concerns that impact families across the Garden State. “Faith and Latino voters are looking at the rising costs of groceries, energy, and inflation,” she said, “but they’re also paying close attention to their schools. New Jersey used to be ranked number two in the nation for education, and now it’s fallen to number twelve.”
Thomas suggested that this decline in educational standards, coupled with ongoing affordability challenges, could make the race more competitive than many expect. “Voters are asking whether they want more of the same or if they’re ready for change,” she added. “That choice will be central to this election — whether to continue the status quo or take a new direction under Jack Ciattarelli.”
Her appearance follows an op-ed she published earlier this year in The Trentonian, where she explored how faith and Latino voters could determine the outcome of New Jersey’s gubernatorial race. In the piece, Thomas detailed how the Faith and Freedom Coalition has been steadily expanding its outreach to faith-based and Hispanic communities across the state. “We’re seeing a remarkable surge in Latino voters joining our coalition, eager to make their voices heard,” she wrote. “We don’t align with political parties — we focus on what Reverend Samuel Rodriguez calls the Lamb’s Agenda: Biblical values that transcend partisanship.”
Founded in 2009, the Faith and Freedom Coalition has grown into one of the most influential grassroots organizations in the nation, with a strong presence in New Jersey. Its mission is to educate and mobilize people of faith to actively engage in the democratic process, influence public policy, and promote legislation that strengthens families and communities. The Coalition advocates for principles such as lower taxes for small businesses and families, responsible government spending, and protecting the dignity of life and marriage.
Thomas explained that the organization’s focus in New Jersey has centered on connecting with religious leaders and faith-based organizations to amplify community voices on key issues. “Just recently, I met with more than fifty Latino faith leaders across the state,” she shared. “The enthusiasm and commitment to civic engagement are growing stronger than ever. People of faith are ready to raise their voices and work together toward solutions that reflect their values and priorities.”
Her remarks on ONNJ Mornings underscore the broader message of empowerment that the Faith and Freedom Coalition seeks to promote. For Thomas, the goal isn’t to push a partisan agenda but to encourage values-based participation in the political process. “Our movement is about helping everyday New Jerseyans see that their voices matter,” she said. “Whether it’s about improving education, lowering costs, or ensuring government accountability, we believe people of faith have a critical role to play in shaping the future of this state.”
As New Jersey’s gubernatorial race continues to heat up, the influence of faith-based and Latino voters is likely to remain a central talking point among candidates and political analysts alike. With the Faith and Freedom Coalition continuing its outreach efforts across the state, the organization’s impact on voter engagement and turnout could prove significant in determining the direction New Jersey takes in the next administration.
For more coverage on New Jersey’s gubernatorial race and political developments across the state, visit Explore New Jersey Politics.
