The MAGA "celebrity" aiming to flip New Jersey red in 2025
Scott Presler is implementing his “Pennsylvania model” in New Jersey with the aim of increasing the number of registered GOP voters.
TroibNews 
New Jersey Republicans are experiencing a boost following President Donald Trump's impressive performance in the traditionally blue state last November.
To maintain this positive momentum as they aim to win the governor's mansion this year, they are looking to Scott Presler, a tall, long-haired conservative activist and former “stop the steal” organizer, known for his cowboy boots and millions of social media followers.
Presler, who leads the Republican voter registration-focused PAC Early Vote Action and has built his brand around promoting Trump's unfounded assertion that the 2020 election was stolen, is now zeroing in on New Jersey after focusing much of 2024 in Pennsylvania. Recently, he has traveled across New Jersey to implement what he dubs “the Pennsylvania model.” This approach includes registering Republicans in often overlooked locations such as gun ranges, Amish communities, and fly fishing conventions, as well as urging them to vote early for Republican candidates on the ballot.
He claims credit for helping Trump secure a win in Pennsylvania in 2024, a victory that propelled him back to the White House. Presler believes he can help steer New Jersey in the same direction. Part of his strategy includes ensuring he appears “really cute for the Shore this summer.”
“We're going to be going to the clubs, we're going to be doing beach volleyball,” the 36-year-old said in an interview with PMG. “I say this very tongue in cheek, but I want to talk to as many guidos as possible, and I want to get them all registered to vote and out to vote this November.”
For New Jersey Republicans, Presler’s involvement signals support from a prominent figure, particularly after national Republicans largely ignored the gubernatorial race in 2021, where Republican Jack Ciattarelli lost to Democratic Governor Phil Murphy by just over 80,000 votes — a margin Republicans believe could have been bridged with more national support. Recent gains in voter registrations have the party optimistic about taking the term-limited Murphy's seat.
This governor's race isn't just on the radar of local Republicans. New Jersey is one of only two states holding a gubernatorial election this year, and the outcomes will provide an early gauge of the national political sentiment leading up to the midterm elections. Republicans are optimistic that a solid performance in New Jersey, riding the wave of Trump's strong showing in 2024, can shift the state towards a more competitive status.
Historically, when Republicans do win statewide in New Jersey, it has been with mainstream candidates who embrace fiscally conservative and socially moderate platforms. Trump’s unexpectedly strong performance last year may suggest a potential shift in voter preferences towards a more conservative agenda. The top contenders for the GOP nomination this year, Ciattarelli and Bill Spadea, have both attempted to align themselves with Trump's policies.
“The way that I look at it is, New Jersey has been voting blue for so long, and the definition of insanity is you're repeating the same thing over and over, and you're not having success,” Presler, who remains neutral in the primary, stated. “So if there was ever a year to try something new, especially after our big win in 2024, I think this is it. … New Jersey: What have you got to lose? Try something new.”
If New Jersey Republicans find success this year, it might validate such a strategy and create a roadmap for similar efforts in other historically blue states where Republicans seek to gain traction. Presler has already indicated a desire to focus on voter registration efforts in states like California and New York next year.
“Presler spending so much time in New Jersey signals to a lot of people that we’re taking 2025 very seriously,” noted Hunterdon County Republican Committee Chair Gabe Plumer.
Moreover, the energetic and vibrant persona Presler brings could be just as crucial as his registration efforts in rallying Republican enthusiasm from last year. Presler has garnered attention for his ability to engage large crowds, both in person and online. At a recent voter registration workshop in Union County, attendees lined up for the chance to meet him, and he stayed after his talk to ensure everyone had an opportunity to connect.
During his presentation, which attracted over 200 participants, Presler lightened the atmosphere with humor while instructing on how to fill out a voter registration form, humorously stating that if he met former President Joe Biden, he thinks "he would go in and sniff my hair."
Republican county chairs who have hosted him recently describe him as a “celebrity” and a “phenom” who can command attention. His presence has resulted in higher turnout than typically seen during this election cycle, attracting newcomers who have not been previously involved in Republican county events.
“His strength is bringing people to the table who we haven’t met before,” Gonzalez remarked.
Presler claims to have already helped register thousands of Republicans in New Jersey, including older Democrats who have switched affiliation after attending his talks, as well as younger individuals.
While there’s still time before the primary, making it difficult to predict the exact impact of Presler's influence on Republican turnout in the upcoming closed primary election, party members are encouraged by their recent gains in registrations and Democrats’ declining numbers. As of March 1, Democrats had around 834,000 more registered voters compared to Republicans, yet this advantage is less than the 1 million margin they held in 2021. Since the start of the year, Democrats have lost approximately 90,000 registered voters, while Republicans have seen a decline of about 30,000—partially due to voter roll updates. With over 2 million unaffiliated voters in the state, Republicans are hopeful they can bridge the gap.
On X, Presler boasts over 2 million followers, sharing reminders about upcoming elections and voter registration updates. His efforts have attracted the attention of key figures in the Republican Party, including Elon Musk, who contributed $1 million to Presler’s PAC and engages with his posts. Presler also had a recent visit to the White House, where he met with Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Additionally, he frequently appears on podcasts associated with Trump’s inner circle.
Presler has been involved in various conservative political initiatives for years, including “Gays for Trump,” organizing anti-Sharia marches in 2017, leading “stop the steal” rallies following the 2020 election, and attending the January 6 rally at the Capitol. He was a contender for a role in the Republican National Committee's "legal ballot-harvesting" initiative last year but was ultimately overlooked. Like many of Trump’s allies, Presler has amplified claims about the legitimacy of the 2020 election, which has attracted criticism from national Democrats.
While he prefers not to identify as an “influencer,” he recognizes his platform’s reach. During the Union County event, he encouraged attendees to “help me use my platform” to report any issues related to election integrity or partisan misconduct they witness.
“If there's a Democrat Governor Murphy spy in here, I want to make something exceptionally, exceptionally clear,” Presler told the audience. “If you cheat … you will be caught and you will be prosecuted.”
Such rhetoric has been a rallying cry for the GOP base, especially among those who continue to believe the 2020 election was stolen. However, it may alienate some unaffiliated voters or former Democrats critical to electing a Republican governor, but New Jersey Republicans remain focused on voter registration.
“Honestly for me, that’s done and old and move on,” said Union County GOP Chair Carlos Santos. “It’s time to make everybody feel that their vote actually counts and get them out to vote. … When I go to the food store and I buy two bags of food and it’s $300, what’s more important — to get out and vote and try to make a difference or change, or that they claim there was fraud at one time?”
Presler stated he plans to “continue to pummel” these “election integrity” initiatives, but emphasized that it’s the “bread and butter” issues — such as crime, property taxes, and immigration — that resonate with voters. He believes independent voters are also being influenced toward Republican candidates by initiatives opposing offshore wind projects, which were championed by the Trump administration.
“The people of New Jersey truly feel forgotten,” he said. “These people truly feel that they are getting the short end of the stick: their businesses, they are overtaxed, their homes, they are overtaxed. They feel the economic burden.”
Santos, whose Union County is typically Democratic-leaning, requested Presler’s help to bolster Republican voter registrations following the November election. Presler, who had previously visited the state a couple of times, garnered Santos's interest due to his genuine approach and lack of ulterior motives.
Overall, New Jersey Republicans have welcomed Presler's involvement, especially with this year's pivotal gubernatorial election on the horizon. According to Cape May GOP Chair Mike Donohue, initial concerns from some members about Presler’s presence due to territorial issues have dissipated since he took time to connect with local Republicans before attending events.
Plumer, the chair from Hunterdon, acknowledged Presler's collaborative approach, saying he engaged county chairs “in a partnership,” unlike some national groups that come in with their own agenda.
However, not all local Republicans are on board with this external assistance. Jose Arango, the GOP chair for heavily Democratic Hudson County, noted that while Presler brings excitement, he has experienced significant registration success independently.
“He’s doing a good thing — I just don’t see the need in Hudson County,” Arango stated. “I give him a lot of credit, but we’re successful in Hudson. I never like to change success.”
Presler asserted he is “not here to step on people's toes” and intends to “go where the help is wanted.”
Some county Republicans are adjusting their strategies as a result of Presler's initiatives. Sean Earlen, chair of the Burlington County GOP, mentioned that a subcommittee has been established to adopt the “Presler plan,” which primarily aims to register Republican voters at gun shops and ranges.
“When you’re a county party and doing this every year, your message gets stale,” Earlen explained. “Some of the stuff he preaches we’ve done before, but he draws in new people.”
While some Democrats have taken notice of Presler's activities, they do not express significant concern at this point.
“I think to not be paying attention and monitoring it would be a mistake, but I’m not necessarily shaking in my boots,” stated Dyese Davis, chair of the Democratic Party in Monmouth County, where Presler recently held an event.
Additionally, Republicans are observing encouraging developments as the primary season approaches. Beyond Presler’s efforts, they have received notable support from the national party, highlighted by Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley’s participation in state events last month, alongside RNC co-chair K. C. Crosbie, who spoke at the Union County Lincoln Day Dinner.
Currently, Presler is in Wisconsin for the upcoming Supreme Court election but intends to resume his efforts in New Jersey following that election, which includes smaller rallies aimed at motivating Republicans to vote early ahead of the June primary.
“The biggest surprise has been how many people in a quote-unquote ‘blue state’ are already getting active in February and March,” Presler noted. “This in my opinion is unprecedented — the amount of energy that we've seen this early in New Jersey."
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
To maintain this positive momentum as they aim to win the governor's mansion this year, they are looking to Scott Presler, a tall, long-haired conservative activist and former “stop the steal” organizer, known for his cowboy boots and millions of social media followers.
Presler, who leads the Republican voter registration-focused PAC Early Vote Action and has built his brand around promoting Trump's unfounded assertion that the 2020 election was stolen, is now zeroing in on New Jersey after focusing much of 2024 in Pennsylvania. Recently, he has traveled across New Jersey to implement what he dubs “the Pennsylvania model.” This approach includes registering Republicans in often overlooked locations such as gun ranges, Amish communities, and fly fishing conventions, as well as urging them to vote early for Republican candidates on the ballot.
He claims credit for helping Trump secure a win in Pennsylvania in 2024, a victory that propelled him back to the White House. Presler believes he can help steer New Jersey in the same direction. Part of his strategy includes ensuring he appears “really cute for the Shore this summer.”
“We're going to be going to the clubs, we're going to be doing beach volleyball,” the 36-year-old said in an interview with PMG. “I say this very tongue in cheek, but I want to talk to as many guidos as possible, and I want to get them all registered to vote and out to vote this November.”
For New Jersey Republicans, Presler’s involvement signals support from a prominent figure, particularly after national Republicans largely ignored the gubernatorial race in 2021, where Republican Jack Ciattarelli lost to Democratic Governor Phil Murphy by just over 80,000 votes — a margin Republicans believe could have been bridged with more national support. Recent gains in voter registrations have the party optimistic about taking the term-limited Murphy's seat.
This governor's race isn't just on the radar of local Republicans. New Jersey is one of only two states holding a gubernatorial election this year, and the outcomes will provide an early gauge of the national political sentiment leading up to the midterm elections. Republicans are optimistic that a solid performance in New Jersey, riding the wave of Trump's strong showing in 2024, can shift the state towards a more competitive status.
Historically, when Republicans do win statewide in New Jersey, it has been with mainstream candidates who embrace fiscally conservative and socially moderate platforms. Trump’s unexpectedly strong performance last year may suggest a potential shift in voter preferences towards a more conservative agenda. The top contenders for the GOP nomination this year, Ciattarelli and Bill Spadea, have both attempted to align themselves with Trump's policies.
“The way that I look at it is, New Jersey has been voting blue for so long, and the definition of insanity is you're repeating the same thing over and over, and you're not having success,” Presler, who remains neutral in the primary, stated. “So if there was ever a year to try something new, especially after our big win in 2024, I think this is it. … New Jersey: What have you got to lose? Try something new.”
If New Jersey Republicans find success this year, it might validate such a strategy and create a roadmap for similar efforts in other historically blue states where Republicans seek to gain traction. Presler has already indicated a desire to focus on voter registration efforts in states like California and New York next year.
“Presler spending so much time in New Jersey signals to a lot of people that we’re taking 2025 very seriously,” noted Hunterdon County Republican Committee Chair Gabe Plumer.
Moreover, the energetic and vibrant persona Presler brings could be just as crucial as his registration efforts in rallying Republican enthusiasm from last year. Presler has garnered attention for his ability to engage large crowds, both in person and online. At a recent voter registration workshop in Union County, attendees lined up for the chance to meet him, and he stayed after his talk to ensure everyone had an opportunity to connect.
During his presentation, which attracted over 200 participants, Presler lightened the atmosphere with humor while instructing on how to fill out a voter registration form, humorously stating that if he met former President Joe Biden, he thinks "he would go in and sniff my hair."
Republican county chairs who have hosted him recently describe him as a “celebrity” and a “phenom” who can command attention. His presence has resulted in higher turnout than typically seen during this election cycle, attracting newcomers who have not been previously involved in Republican county events.
“His strength is bringing people to the table who we haven’t met before,” Gonzalez remarked.
Presler claims to have already helped register thousands of Republicans in New Jersey, including older Democrats who have switched affiliation after attending his talks, as well as younger individuals.
While there’s still time before the primary, making it difficult to predict the exact impact of Presler's influence on Republican turnout in the upcoming closed primary election, party members are encouraged by their recent gains in registrations and Democrats’ declining numbers. As of March 1, Democrats had around 834,000 more registered voters compared to Republicans, yet this advantage is less than the 1 million margin they held in 2021. Since the start of the year, Democrats have lost approximately 90,000 registered voters, while Republicans have seen a decline of about 30,000—partially due to voter roll updates. With over 2 million unaffiliated voters in the state, Republicans are hopeful they can bridge the gap.
On X, Presler boasts over 2 million followers, sharing reminders about upcoming elections and voter registration updates. His efforts have attracted the attention of key figures in the Republican Party, including Elon Musk, who contributed $1 million to Presler’s PAC and engages with his posts. Presler also had a recent visit to the White House, where he met with Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Additionally, he frequently appears on podcasts associated with Trump’s inner circle.
Presler has been involved in various conservative political initiatives for years, including “Gays for Trump,” organizing anti-Sharia marches in 2017, leading “stop the steal” rallies following the 2020 election, and attending the January 6 rally at the Capitol. He was a contender for a role in the Republican National Committee's "legal ballot-harvesting" initiative last year but was ultimately overlooked. Like many of Trump’s allies, Presler has amplified claims about the legitimacy of the 2020 election, which has attracted criticism from national Democrats.
While he prefers not to identify as an “influencer,” he recognizes his platform’s reach. During the Union County event, he encouraged attendees to “help me use my platform” to report any issues related to election integrity or partisan misconduct they witness.
“If there's a Democrat Governor Murphy spy in here, I want to make something exceptionally, exceptionally clear,” Presler told the audience. “If you cheat … you will be caught and you will be prosecuted.”
Such rhetoric has been a rallying cry for the GOP base, especially among those who continue to believe the 2020 election was stolen. However, it may alienate some unaffiliated voters or former Democrats critical to electing a Republican governor, but New Jersey Republicans remain focused on voter registration.
“Honestly for me, that’s done and old and move on,” said Union County GOP Chair Carlos Santos. “It’s time to make everybody feel that their vote actually counts and get them out to vote. … When I go to the food store and I buy two bags of food and it’s $300, what’s more important — to get out and vote and try to make a difference or change, or that they claim there was fraud at one time?”
Presler stated he plans to “continue to pummel” these “election integrity” initiatives, but emphasized that it’s the “bread and butter” issues — such as crime, property taxes, and immigration — that resonate with voters. He believes independent voters are also being influenced toward Republican candidates by initiatives opposing offshore wind projects, which were championed by the Trump administration.
“The people of New Jersey truly feel forgotten,” he said. “These people truly feel that they are getting the short end of the stick: their businesses, they are overtaxed, their homes, they are overtaxed. They feel the economic burden.”
Santos, whose Union County is typically Democratic-leaning, requested Presler’s help to bolster Republican voter registrations following the November election. Presler, who had previously visited the state a couple of times, garnered Santos's interest due to his genuine approach and lack of ulterior motives.
Overall, New Jersey Republicans have welcomed Presler's involvement, especially with this year's pivotal gubernatorial election on the horizon. According to Cape May GOP Chair Mike Donohue, initial concerns from some members about Presler’s presence due to territorial issues have dissipated since he took time to connect with local Republicans before attending events.
Plumer, the chair from Hunterdon, acknowledged Presler's collaborative approach, saying he engaged county chairs “in a partnership,” unlike some national groups that come in with their own agenda.
However, not all local Republicans are on board with this external assistance. Jose Arango, the GOP chair for heavily Democratic Hudson County, noted that while Presler brings excitement, he has experienced significant registration success independently.
“He’s doing a good thing — I just don’t see the need in Hudson County,” Arango stated. “I give him a lot of credit, but we’re successful in Hudson. I never like to change success.”
Presler asserted he is “not here to step on people's toes” and intends to “go where the help is wanted.”
Some county Republicans are adjusting their strategies as a result of Presler's initiatives. Sean Earlen, chair of the Burlington County GOP, mentioned that a subcommittee has been established to adopt the “Presler plan,” which primarily aims to register Republican voters at gun shops and ranges.
“When you’re a county party and doing this every year, your message gets stale,” Earlen explained. “Some of the stuff he preaches we’ve done before, but he draws in new people.”
While some Democrats have taken notice of Presler's activities, they do not express significant concern at this point.
“I think to not be paying attention and monitoring it would be a mistake, but I’m not necessarily shaking in my boots,” stated Dyese Davis, chair of the Democratic Party in Monmouth County, where Presler recently held an event.
Additionally, Republicans are observing encouraging developments as the primary season approaches. Beyond Presler’s efforts, they have received notable support from the national party, highlighted by Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley’s participation in state events last month, alongside RNC co-chair K. C. Crosbie, who spoke at the Union County Lincoln Day Dinner.
Currently, Presler is in Wisconsin for the upcoming Supreme Court election but intends to resume his efforts in New Jersey following that election, which includes smaller rallies aimed at motivating Republicans to vote early ahead of the June primary.
“The biggest surprise has been how many people in a quote-unquote ‘blue state’ are already getting active in February and March,” Presler noted. “This in my opinion is unprecedented — the amount of energy that we've seen this early in New Jersey."
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
