Larae Smith
2025 InformTheVoteNJ Primary Race Interview With Larae Smith
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0:00 – Intro & Election Overview
Explains primary format, vote-by-mail, and why hearing from all candidates matters before casting a vote.
3:25 – Larae’s Background & Experience
Outlines Smith's local upbringing, education, public service career, and her long-standing involvement in Cumberland County leadership roles.
10:20 – Government Transparency & Accessibility
Calls for simplified agendas, physical outreach (e.g. newsletters), rotating meeting locations, and better public access to decision-making.
19:00 – Local Civics & Nonpartisan Outreach
Supports reintroducing civics into schools and faith-based settings. Describes her neutral approach as a party chair during primary campaigns.
27:30 – Candidate Info via County Tax Mailings
Proposes using county mailings (e.g. tax bills) to share platform info with voters who don’t use social media or digital platforms.
32:30 – Rebuilding Local Press
Suggests municipalities collaborate to produce a shared community newspaper and central information hub.
36:10 – Potential Cuts to County Services
Explains how state and federal budget decisions may trickle down to affect local services; pledges to monitor and respond swiftly.
43:00 – Network Strength & Responsiveness
Describes her county, state, and federal relationships and readiness to respond quickly to funding or policy changes.
47:45 – Homelessness Crisis
Details the influx of homeless individuals from other counties. Calls for coordinated action with local experts and fair distribution of responsibility across counties.
59:40 – Post-COVID Education Recovery
Proposes leveraging retired educators and public spaces for tutoring programs to help students recover from pandemic-era learning loss.
1:09:40 – Nabb Ave Extension Project
Explains decades-long delay due to lack of matching federal funds. Advocates for honest public updates on status.
1:16:20 – Middle Mile Broadband Expansion
Outlines leadership dispute between Salem and Cumberland counties. Highlights rural broadband deficiencies and COVID-related impacts.
1:20:00 – Sewage Infrastructure in Rural Areas
Discusses expensive septic issues in places like Laurel Lake. Raises question of using ballot initiatives to guide development direction.
1:28:45 – Tourism & Economic Revitalization
Supports promoting Cumberland’s natural and cultural assets. Encourages partnerships with Cape May and leveraging local success stories to generate revenue.
1:34:00 – Closing Remarks
Reinforces her identity as a community leader focused on fairness, communication, and practical problem-solving. Applauds grassroots engagement.
Agenda and Campaign Message
(Copy/pasted directly from correspondence with Larae)
As a Cumberland County resident for over 40 years, I understand the unique challenges and needs that face our communities. I also know that many people feel they have been ignored. Each person is important and deserves a representative that will support and fight for them during these uncertain times.
We have a lot of work to do to win back the trust and confidence of our residents. I am ready to do the work needed to rebuild that trust by listening to what our voters say they need and expect from their representatives.
A – Transparent Government
I will work to improve the governing system so that meetings, discourse, and procedures are based on transparency and inclusion. It’s important that plans and decisions are publicized, giving residents the opportunity to observe, participate, and provide input—regardless of their economic or professional background.
Currently, transparency is lacking in how the commissioners conduct county business. The era of backroom deals must end, as it has only bred mistrust and resentment. I propose making commissioner meetings more accessible, including rotating meeting locations throughout the county and creating a monthly open podcast for public questions and updates.
B – Family, Childcare, and Senior Services
With potential federal funding cuts on the horizon, I will prioritize developing alternative plans and partnerships to preserve vital services for families, children, seniors, and veterans. This includes seeking support from state leaders and corporations to fill funding gaps and maintain lifeline programs.
C – Veterans Services
Our veterans deserve dependable support. In response to proposed cuts at the federal level, I will work on a local plan to sustain services and seek new funding through strategic partnerships with public officials and private entities. This ensures veterans retain access to the care and programs they depend on.
D – Education
With the potential elimination of the Department of Education, counties will need to step up. I will advocate for increased funding and local solutions to support affected education programs. Additionally, I will help schools address learning gaps caused by the pandemic by promoting new study models that enhance reading and math proficiency.
E – Public Transportation
I aim to expand existing public transportation routes to underserved areas—especially in southern and eastern Cumberland County—so residents can reliably travel to work, school, medical appointments, training, and essential services.
G – Homelessness (Youth, Seniors, Veterans)
Cumberland County is facing a growing homelessness crisis. The influx of unhoused individuals from other parts of the state has overwhelmed local services, particularly healthcare and emergency care systems. I propose a coordinated plan that includes:
- Collaborating with healthcare and mental health professionals to assess and address root causes.
- Developing partnerships with neighboring counties to return individuals to their home regions when appropriate.
- Creating more local walk-in centers and shelters offering meals, safe housing, medical attention, and counseling.
- Ensuring access to substance abuse and mental health services as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation strategy.
Background and Experience
Education
- Bridgeton High School, Bridgeton, NJ – Graduate
- 1986 Class President
- National Honor Society Member
- Varsity in Field Hockey, Baseball, Track and Field
- Stockton University, Stockton, NJ
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Marketing
- Currently pursuing Master’s Degree in Education
- Atlantic Cape Community College
- Self-Employment and UD Certified Counselor
- Economic Development Advisor
Awards
- 2024 Building One America New Jersey “Shirley Chisholm Award”
- Outstanding Democratic Women’s Certificate – Cumberland County Commissioners 1st District NJ Congress of the United States
Employment
- Millville Public Charter School – Financial Literacy Teacher (7th and 8th Grades)
- Founder and Owner – Kingdom Building Academy, LLC (Private Learning Center)
- United Methodist Communities – Social Service Coordinator
- 21st Century Coordinator – Cumberland County Empowerment Zone
Positions
- Elected Member – Commercial Township Board of Education
- Member – Commercial Township Parent Teachers Association
- Chair – Commercial Township Land Use Board
- Member – Building One America – New Jersey
- Co-Chair – May 8–9, 2025 Civil Rights Summit
- Civil Rights Chair – Shiloh Baptist Church, One Family, Two Locations (Port Norris and Vineland, NJ), Dr. James Dunkins, Senior Pastor
- Volunteer – Shiloh’s Women’s Ministry
Info Collected From PRIOR Elections
Agenda
Supports Planned Parenthood. Facebook
Supports more women representation in government. Facebook
Supports the black caucuses of the democrat party. Reposted on Facebook
Support Senior housing and Healthcare Services. Provide county recreational advancements, building a county indoor sports facility and swim center and improving county recreation areas. Support state of the art correctional facility, by improving conditions and programs and drive long standing issues with facility to closure. Also wishes to reduce cost and tax burden of facility.
policy positions
Background and Campaign Message
Experience
Since 2007, La Rae has worked in education with the Commercial Township Board of Education. She is currently a Social Service Coordinator for the United Methodist Communities in Ocean City, New Jersey. With her vast background in Economic Development, Community Education, and Business, La Rae successfully completed a Certificate of Achievement from Atlantic Cape Community College’s Self-Employment Assistance Program in January 2006.
She has been recognized by the First District New Jersey Congress of the United States House of Representatives and Cumberland County Democratic Women receiving the Outstanding Women of Cumberland County Certificate of Commendation presented by Cumberland County Commissioners. She is Chair of the Land Use Board in Commercial Township, Chair of the Democratic Party for Commercial Township, and serves as an elected official of the Commercial Township Board of Education. Her volunteer work in recreational leagues, faith-based activities, and community service speaks volumes to her compassion and integrity. She serves as a champion to the voices of people in this great community that she loves.
Candidates Forum Responses
When asked about how she would deal with poverty, homelessness, and substance abuse, Smith spoke about leveraging the faith based organizations and community outreach programs.
Inform the Vote would like to note that Smith left the Candidates Forum approximately halfway through for an official public duty (maybe School Board, but we're not sure).
Girl Let's Talk Interview
Summarized/Paraphrased Q&A
To note: A "general discussion point" is a summarized part of the video that might not have come from a direct question and answer format, but part of a tangent or general discussion.1. Host: Tell us who you are.
Smith: I was born and grew up in Bridgeton. I went to Stockton State. After school, I stayed close to home so I could make an impact in my community, stay close to my family, and stay involved in my activities (class president in high school, varsity sports, girl scouts, basketball leagues). That was the right move for me and has led me to running for county commissioner. I have been consistently running for leadership positions, where I wound up on the Commercial Township Board of Education. I can be a voice for the smaller districts in the county. I can also provide a common sense voice for the community, as a lot of decisions are made behind closed doors, ‘the big boys situation’. I want to bring the voice of the middle and lower class residents.
2. Host: What made you realize you wanted to run for commissioner?
Smith: Coming from the small municipality of Commercial Township, I first ran and lost. Then I was reached out to by Donna Pearson (current Democrat commissioner) and Nancy Sungenis (former democrat party organizer). They were surprised that coming from a small municipality that I was able to get so many votes and lose by just a hair. At that point the light bulb went off regarding “Why not me?”, when I’m already doing a lot of community work, so why not get the title and do more? Our community needs more people who want to get their hands dirty and do the work of sitting in the meetings, having the discussions, and holding people accountable. The democrat party needed people who weren’t afraid to put their name on the ballot and be interviewed. Dr. Perella, John Capizola, and myself are out in the streets talking to people, not just handing out literature. We’re listening and going to events.
3. General discussion point (La Rae Smith): This is not necessarily about getting votes, it’s about people. It’s about doing good work to help the people. It’s about knocking on the doors and asking “Do you need some help? Do you need services?”
General discussion point (the host): If you’re not getting involved with knowing who to vote for, can you complain?
General discussion point: We have to show our children that split second decisions have consequences, because our families and communities are setting the bad example that even if you do something wrong and go through the system, the children get the impression that it’s ok, without realizing that the consequences will follow them.
4. Host: How do we teach our children that life is not a game, but it’s full of consequences and that they should make good choices?
Smith: We used to have strong faith-based initiatives. We should bring recreational activities that are partnered with the faith-based organizations. They should be coordinated in a way that connects the kids from the school directly to after school activities and programming, which will help keep them out of the bad environments. They can also be used in conjunction with modeling programs, where kids can learn good behavior and decision making from good role-models.
5. General discussion point: COVID exposed that we have been programmed to only go to work to keep a roof over our heads, and so we’ve left the parenting up to the schools. By the time we get home from work, we are too tired to do anything else. We’re not checking homework, and sometimes the kids aren’t even getting homework. It has gotten to the point where we are graduating kids who can’t even read.