Aristotle
Eliopoulos
Jersey City teacher and union rep Aristotle "Ari" Eliopoulos running as independent in NJ-8 against incumbent Rep. Rob Menendez
- sources
- 7
- positions
- 11
- endorsements
- 1
Background
Aristotle "Ari" Eliopoulos is a Jersey City teacher, educator, and union representative running for the U.S. House of Representatives in New Jersey's 8th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election. 111
Eliopoulos was born and raised in Jersey City and, according to his campaign biography, has worked as a teacher and union official in the area. No specific school, employer, union name, or employment dates are identified in available sources. 111
He is running as an independent candidate, though the New Jersey Globe reported that he is a registered Republican who chose to file without a party affiliation. The Republican Party, lacking its own candidate in the race, signaled support for his independent campaign. 1116
Eliopoulos is challenging incumbent Democratic Rep. Rob Menendez. He has no prior elected office identified in available sources. 14
At a glance
- Party
- Independent
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 8, New Jersey
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Teacher and union representative, Jersey City
- Website
- arieliopoulosforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Date unknownfilingNo FEC campaign-finance reports filed for Eliopoulos through June 30, 2026
Race-information pages reported no FEC committee records or financial summaries filed for Eliopoulos by June 30, 2026, in contrast to incumbent Rob Menendez who raised nearly $2 million.
New Jersey's 8th District Race 2026: Who's Running (NJ-8) · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Date unknownnewsEliopoulos files as Independent with Republican county-chair backing after GOP fails to qualify candidate
A registered Republican, Eliopoulos filed as an independent with reported support from Republican county chairs in Hudson, Essex, and Union counties after Republicans failed to qualify a candidate for NJ-8. No precise date was given for this development.
Aristotle Eliopoulos — 2026 New Jersey's 8th Congressional District ... · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 4filingEliopoulos officially listed on NJ-8 ballot as Independent candidate
New Jersey's official U.S. House candidate list, dated September 4 and checked October 6, included Aristotle Eliopoulos (Independent) in District 8 alongside Rob Menendez, Craig Honts, and Da'Shone Hughey.
New Jersey Candidates 2026: Who Is on the Ballot - Vote Clock · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Unnamed local Republican leaders officialNew Jersey Globe reported that 'local GOP leaders are instead supporting' Eliopoulos. No specific leaders were named, and this was not described as a formal endorsement by a specific party organization. newjerseyglobe.com · Jun 3, 2026
Sources 7
- [1] Aristotle Eliopoulos — 2026 New Jersey's 8th Congressional District ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] New Jersey Candidates 2026: Who Is on the Ballot - Vote Clock(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [3] Aristotle 'Ari' Eliopoulos for Congress | NJ CD 8(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [4] New Jersey's 8th District Race 2026: Who's Running (NJ-8)(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [5] Voter Guide - VOTE411.org(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [6] VOTE411 Voter Guide(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
- [7] Husband-and-wife duo from Tennessee will run as pro-life ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 3, 2026