Newark, NJ – Anthony Calandra, owner of Calandra’s Bakery and Italian Market in Essex County, made headlines last year when he abruptly canceled a Republican get-out-the-vote event at his establishment after learning it would feature Donald Trump flags and supporters.
Now, Calandra is back in the spotlight for a surprising move: writing a $10,000 check to the Elect Common Sense PAC, aligned with Bill Spadea, a prominent Trump supporter and leading candidate in New Jersey’s 2025 gubernatorial race.
It is a risky move for a business that operates in the heart of BlueJersey, Newark, with customers across the entire state. You have to give him some credit for having the courage to stick to his conservative values, despite local pressure and opposition.
That PAC has paid Trump-loving New Jersey GOP candidate Bill Spadea, $225,000 through an LLC called BillSpadea.com LLC.
According to the latest filings with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), Calandra’s contribution, made on March 24, 2025, from his address at 204 1st Ave W, Newark, NJ, is the largest single donation reported in Spadea’s recent financial disclosures. As the owner of Calandra’s, where he serves as a management executive, Calandra’s financial support for Spadea—a vocal conservative radio host and self-proclaimed “Trumper”—has raised eyebrows, given his prior rejection of Trump-related political activity at his business.
In October 2024, Calandra pulled the plug on an Essex County GOP event after seeing promotional materials featuring Trump flags and banners. The decision came weeks after he had agreed to host the event, which was intended as a meet-and-greet for local Republican candidates. Calandra cited an internal company policy against hosting political rallies, stating, “When we saw the flags, we squashed it.”
He emphasized that the event’s political nature, particularly the presence of Trump supporters with signs, was not initially disclosed, adding, “There’s no written contract. Everybody’s making a bigger deal about this than it is.”
Essex County GOP Chairman Assemblyman Al Barlas criticized the cancellation, claiming Calandra backed out to avoid alienating customers and hurting his business.
Calandra, however, stood firm, noting his responsibility to his 1,000 employees and clarifying that he would allow paid dinners but not political rallies on his property.
Calandra’s recent donation to Spadea’s PAC has sparked speculation about his political motivations. Spadea, a former host on New Jersey 101.5, has built a campaign on conservative values, appealing to Trump’s base in the state.
The $10,000 contribution from Calandra, listed as an aggregate amount in the ELEC filings, suggests a significant shift—or at least a complex stance—compared to his public aversion to Trump-related events at his bakery.
Neither Calandra nor Spadea’s campaign responded to requests for comment on the donation. Political observers note that the contribution could signal Calandra’s personal support for Spadea’s platform, despite his earlier efforts to distance his business from overt political displays.
As New Jersey’s gubernatorial race heats up, Calandra’s financial backing of Spadea is likely to draw further scrutiny, particularly in Essex County, where political divisions remain stark.