News 2025
Democratic candidates for governor making the rounds
Some of our Democratic Committee members attended "meet the candidate" events in our area during February and early March. We met Democratic gubernatorial candidates Steve Sweeney, Mikie Sherrill, Josh Gottheimer, Sean Spiller and Ras Baraka. Steve Fulop did not participate. These events were sponsored by the Democratic committees of Fanwood, Westfield, Summit, Cranford and Garwood. Attendees were local Democratic committee members and elected officials. These in-person meetings and Q&As tell you so much more about candidates than their ads and mailers. The New Jersey primary is June 10th with early voting beginning on June 6th.
Fanwood and Union County Dems support Mikie Sherrill for Governor
Both the Fanwood and Union County Democratic Committees are supporting Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill for Governor. Sherrill represents the 11th Congressional district encompassing portions of Essex, Morris and Passaic Counties. She is a 10-year veteran of the U.S. Navy as a helicopter pilot. She later became a lawyer and joined the U.S. Attorney's office in New Jersey. She's been in Congress since 2019. Members of the Fanwood committee met Congresswoman Sherrill at a March 1st event in Westfield where she fielded questions on a wide variety of subjects. She is seen here pictured with Fanwood Councilwoman Trisha Walsh.
Mitchell, Berry endorsed for re-election
Councilwomen Gina Berry and Kathy Mitchell were endorsed for re-election by the Fanwood Democratic Committee at its annual nominating meeting on March 14, 2025. Councilwoman Berry, a school administrator will be running for her second term. Kathy, a retired RN, will be running for her ninth. Both will be on the ballot in the New Jersey primary on June 10th, 2025.
Committee members, left to right: Mayor Colleen Mahr, Neal Fitzsimmons, John Celardo, Tanisha McGriff, Russel Huegel (attorney), Councilwoman Gina Berry, Councilwoman Kathy Mitchell, Councilwoman Patricia Walsh, Councilman Jeff Banks, Paul Marder, Pat Plante, Jill Jackson-Jones and Tom Plante. Member Tom Kranz took the photo.
Councilwomen McElroy Barker and Walsh sworn in for new terms
The annual Borough Reorganization meeting on Monday, January 6, 2025, was highlighted by the swearings-in of Councilwoman Erin McElroy Barker, far left, and Councilwoman Patricia Walsh, third from left. Erin begins her fourth term, Trisha her second. Assemblywoman Linda Carter, second from left, was on hand for the event. The Councilwomen were sworn in by Mayor Colleen Mahr, far right, who began her 22nd year as mayor. Congratulations to these fabulous women! (Photos by Paul Peyton)
School Referendum, Take 2, January 28, 2025
Fanwood and Scotch Plains voters will be asked to consider a scaled down proposal for acquiring and maintaining the former LaGrande School on South Avenue to accomodate pre-kindergarten classes and to upgrade HVAC and other infrastructure systems across all schools. If passed, the $44-million project would add an average of $253-$288 per year to residents' property tax bills and would ensure $11.4-million in state aid. Last year, voters turned down a more ambitious plan that would have cost twice as much.
Polls open on Tuesday, January 28, 2pm-8pm. Click here to find your polling place.