Somerset County Commissioner Election 2026: Paul Drake

Why are you seeking election for Somerset County Commissioner?

I am running for reelection to continue to build upon the success of my two terms as a Somerset County Commissioner. I have served as liaison to the County Human Services Department and helped to support their mission to serve the elderly, veterans, the disabled and those with other special needs including mental health assistance throughout the county. I have done so with compassion and empathy. But I also learned that there is much more work to do. Somerset County's staff provide a great service to our residents with special needs and are especially skilled at finding ways to match county support with non-profit, state and Federal resources. As a Commissioner, I am hopeful to be able to continue to support these important efforts.

Also, as liaison to the Park Commission, Planning Board, Energy Council and Agricultural Development Board, I am also proud to have been able to apply my skills as a Professional Planner and environmental expert. These boards and commissions are stewards of the natural resources in Somerset County and establish policies for their management and long-term sustainability. As County Commissioner, I brought forward the first-ever county wide policy to combat the effects of climate change. The recurring problems of climate change including flooding, drought, heat islands and degradation of natural resources require an understanding and support from all levels of government, the private sector and individuals across the planet. At the county level, we are advancing energy efficiency in our building and transportation sectors. Our land ownership practices in our parks, open spaces and agricultural lands are using regenerativelandscape practices to reduce maintenance costs as well as to reduce pesticides and herbicides and provide for more quality habitats and enjoyable natural environments. These efforts recognize the value upon the natural environment, while reducing maintenance costs to taxpayers.

Costs associated with inflation and the cost of living continue to rise; how do you propose keeping taxes low in Somerset County?

Taxes are high across the state, but in Somerset County, we have worked hard to maintain important community and public services while keeping county taxes stable. We understand that every dollar raised through taxes is entrusted to the county to be responsible stewards. At the same time, the county staff across many departments do an exceptional job securing grants and other resources from non-profits as well as from state and Federal programs to extend the services the county can provide. In many instances, grants we receive are recurring in large part because of our reputation and professional licenses we hold for the quality service we can provide to the elderly, the disabled and to veterans among other groups. Looking ahead, there is room to continue to be creative with managing costs. Our golf courses are a good example. Instead of extensive fairways of lawn, we have expanded wildflower meadows making the courses more challenging while improving habitats and reducing maintenance costs. Reducing utility costs is also something that can be managed by various energy efficiency programs following often free energy audits.

Overdevelopment and managing open space in the county are key issues. How do you plan to balance these two?

Somerset County is an attractive county, not only for its natural beauty, but also due to its quality schools, corporate presence across many business sectors and its historic hamlets and villages and walkable downtowns. Growth and development have continued over the decades but have not kept pace with the need for affordable places to live. Rents are very high across the county especially in places near transit, creating the need to still be tied to an automobile. Managing open spaces for agriculture, water supply, natural habitats and passive and active recreation does not need to be lost to satisfy a housing need. Instead, the proper planning of walkable communities across the county can be designed with nature. These will integrate viable local farm to table concepts, natural water quality protection and flood attenuation habitat protection and forest preservation. These efforts would also reimagine outmoded corporate campuses, and the many nearly vacant shopping centers and tired strip malls that dot our landscape. This strategy would also recognize that walking is viable form of transportation providing it is safe, convenient, it is interesting and there is a destination in mind. If designed well, a simple sidewalk network, linking to transit or other rideshare efforts, could reduce the need for a car altogether making rents all the more affordable.

What other issues do you feel need to be tackled in Somerset County?

I look forward to improving transportation efforts across the county. We need improved efforts to link sidewalks, bike lanes and trails. This will take people out of their cars and improve the experience of walking for leisure or out of necessity. This also supports efforts to create interesting places like downtowns that are walkable, safe and full of people. Rail and bus transportation efforts also need to factor into the equation, including improvements to enable a one-seat rail ride to NYC. The county is also working on a plan to expand the EV infrastructure to combat range anxiety.

Without farmers, there is no food. It is not easy to be a farmer, but we need to keep investing in agriculture. Farmers are retiring after many long decades working the ground and there are not a lot of younger farmers who are looking to replace them. How we keep locally grown food on our table should be of prime importance to everyone in the county.

Hurricanes and tropical storms are becoming more frequent and more severe. Five years ago, Ida was devastating across the county. Many people died and properties are still in disrepair and more clarity regarding policies on elevating homes is needed.

What is your favorite thing about living in Somerset County?

I have lived in Somerset County for my entire life. I have traveled all over New Jersey, but my favorite thing is that I always know how to get home. Perhaps it was my dad and the rides we would take in the family station wagon. He knew all the backroads to get around all the traffic in 1976. He helped my brother and I deliver the Sunday Star Ledger in that station wagon – all other days the basket on my bike did just fine. The home I grew up in Somerville remains a historic gem and the new owners are taking great care of it. The wheelchair ramp we built, following my dad's stroke, provided freedom for my dad. He soon became an advocate for the disabled and would motor on an electric scooter at a time when curb cuts where not very common. Fortunately, he always carried an extension cord. A lot has changed since I sold little league candy bars at the entrance to Somerset Hospital. But a lot has stayed the same – the bones of the old Somerville Circle are still there, and pedestrians still navigate the great 206 divide between Somerville and Raritan. Coming home to Somerset County and the memories it brings is my favorite thing.

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

I am a lifelong resident of Somerset County. And raised two wonderful children in the public school system. I am a licensed New Jersey Professional Planner and a Certified Environmental Planner by the American Institute of Certified Planners.

With over 35 years of land use regulatory and environmental planning experience, I was the Director of Planning for the New Jersey Office of Smart Growth. I was also employed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the National Park Service. I am also a part-time undergraduate instructor teaching urban planning and design at Rutgers University.

Paul has a Master's degree in City and Regional Planning from the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Science from Stockton University. Paul's graduate work focused on designing sustainable, pedestrian-friendly mixed-use communities, which included the design for the Hillsborough Town Center and Main Street plan.

Paul presented graduate research at a National wetlands conference in Anchorage Alaska entitled "Land Use Changes effecting the frequency and severity of floods." Paul also enjoys wildlife photography and was selected and visited and photograph Alaskan Brown Bears at the McNeil River Brown Bear Sanctuary.