The nonpartisan municipal election in May will not see Collingswood Commissioner Rob Lewandowski run for reelection to a third term.
He mentioned family members’ continuous challenges with their physical and emotional health.
Lewandowski said, “I promised myself that I would not run for commissioner again if I could not give it my all.” I don’t move aside because I don’t care about Collingswood and its people. Collingswood deserves better than I can provide at this time, which is why I have chosen not to run. I need to prioritize things for the time being, but maybe things will change in the future.
Instead, Rebecca Sieg, the founder of Rekindle Education, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing student math outcomes through one-on-one coaching and increased learning, will compete alongside two incumbents, Mayor Jim Maley and Commissioner Morgan Robinson.
Lewandowski, a veteran of the United States Navy and the former director of communications for the Laborers International Union of North America, started his political career in 2014 after winning a position on the Collingswood school board as a write-in candidate. There were about fifty different forms of his 17-letter name.
When a progressive slate faced out against Lewandowski four years ago, Team Collingswood defeated Kate Delaney and other candidates 2-1.
WESTFIELD
Shelley Brindle, the Democratic mayor of Westfield, is getting ready to declare that she will not run for reelection to a third term. Brindle has started informing local Democrats that she is retiring.
Linda Hapgood, a councilwoman from Ward 1, seems to be the front-runner for the Democratic candidacy.
Republicans won four of the eight town council seats in Brindle’s difficult 2023 midterm election, which was essentially a vote on the city’s redevelopment ambitions.
Brindle, who backed Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop’s governor campaign early on, would end up in a state position if Fulop prevails.
Republicans still haven’t decided on a candidate for mayor.
MILLBURN
In a control race in a former GOP bastion before the municipality turned significantly to the Democratic side, Millburn Mayor Annette Romano, a Democrat, will seek a second term on the township committee.
Our township has always held a special place in my heart, and I want to keep advancing Millburn in a constructive and responsible manner, Romano stated. I’ve demonstrated my ability to lead across party lines.
It was unclear from Romano’s release if Michael Cohen, her running mate, would be returning to the race.
Republicans only need one seat to take over the township committee, which is now dominated by Democrats with a 3-2 majority. By almost 1,700 votes, Republicans took two seats in 2023.
In a statement looking for candidates for this fall, local Republicans stated that they are looking for candidates who are inspired by Millburn’s increasing diversity and who represent a wide range of age groups, political viewpoints, and ethnic and religious origins. Our objective is to unite locals from all areas of life who are passionate about Millburn-Short Hills and dedicated to preserving its qualities as a thriving, hospitable, and desirable suburb.