Bernards Township Primary Election 2026: Paul Humbert

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Bernards' primary election on June 2 has five candidates running for two open seats on the Township Committee.

Paul Humbert is one of three Republican candidates running in the primary. Humbert is running with Vanathi Raghupathy. Kirsten Light is also running as a Republican.

Additionally, there are two Democratic candidates running in the primary. Ana Duarte McCarthy is running with Joan Bannan.

All of the candidates are running for the two, three-year seats on the township committee.

Are you running for office in Basking Ridge? Contact Alexis Tarrazi at alexis.tarrazi@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Basking Ridge Patch.

Paul Humbert

Age: 74

Town of residence: Bernards Township / Basking Ridge

Position sought: Bernards Township Committee

Party affiliation: Republican

Family: Paul and his family have been Bernards Township residents since 1980. He and his wife raised their family here, and their children attended St. James and Ridge High School.

Education: N/A

Occupation: Retired attorney, small business owner and founder of The Humbert Group. Paul has a professional background in law, business, education, budgeting, operations, and complex transactions, including work focused on optimizing supply chains.

Previous or current elected appointed office: Paul has served behind the scenes in local civic and campaign leadership, including managing five Township Committee campaigns and two Board of Education campaigns.

Campaign website:

• Campaign website: HumbertForBernards.com
• Facebook: Facebook.com/HumbertForBernards
• Instagram: Instagram.com/HumbertForBernards

Why are you seeking election to the Township Committee?

I am seeking election to the Bernards Township Committee because I believe Bernards is a special community worth protecting. My family and I have called this town home for
many years, and we know firsthand what makes Bernards such a wonderful place to live, raise a family, work, and serve.

Bernards has beautiful neighborhoods, strong schools, safe communities, open space, historic character, and a quality of life that did not happen by accident. It has been preserved through thoughtful planning, responsible local government, fiscal discipline, and a commitment to putting residents first.

I am running with Vanathi Raghupathy because we believe Bernards needs steady, common-sense leadership that will protect the town’s charm, keep our community safe, respect taxpayers, and make responsible decisions for the future.

What issues do you feel need to be tackled in the Township?

The major issues facing Bernards Township are responsible growth, public safety, fiscal discipline, transparency, and protecting the charm of our community.

Overdevelopment remains a serious concern. Bernards must meet its legal obligations, but we should not allow outside mandates or poor planning to fundamentally change the
character of our town. Development decisions should be thoughtful, carefully analyzed, and respectful of our roads, schools, infrastructure, environment, and neighborhoods.

Public safety must also remain a top priority. Our police, fire, and first responders need to be fully supported, fully staffed, and given the resources they need to keep Bernards one of the safest communities in New Jersey.

Fiscal responsibility is equally important. Bernards has a strong tradition of careful financial management, and we must continue to protect taxpayers, avoid unnecessary debt, and make sure residents understand the long-term cost of major decisions before they are made.

Finally, residents deserve transparency and honest communication from their local government. The people of Bernards should have clear information, real opportunities to
be heard, and confidence that their Township Committee is listening.

Is there anything you would like to share about yourself or your campaign?

My campaign is about protecting what makes Bernards special while preparing responsibly for the future.

I have lived in Bernards Township since 1980, raised my family here, and spent many years involved in local civic and political efforts. I understand the importance of preserving the town’s character, protecting taxpayers, supporting public safety, and
making decisions based on facts, not slogans.

My professional background has taught me how to analyze complex issues, manage budgets, evaluate long-term consequences, and bring people together around practical
solutions. Those are the skills I would bring to the Township Committee.

Vanathi Raghupathy and I are running because we care deeply about this community. We believe Bernards deserves leaders who will listen, ask serious questions, respect residents, and make thoughtful decisions. We would be honored to earn the trust of Bernards Township voters, and we look forward to the opportunity to serve on the Bernards Township Committee.