Alcorta Withdraws; Mark Heftler Joins Jurgensen-Sagalow Team for Caldwell Mayor and Town Council

CALDWELL, NJ — Ricardo Alcorta announced today that he is withdrawing his candidacy for the Borough of Caldwell Town Council in the November 2026 election due to personal family considerations. At the same time, mayoral candidate Councilman Kenneth R. Jurgensen and Town Council candidate Jonathan Sagalow announced that attorney and public servant Mark Heftler will join their ticket as a candidate for one of two open Town Council seats.

Alcorta, who spent the past several months helping develop the campaign and meeting with residents throughout Caldwell, said his decision came after careful consideration of his personal and family responsibilities.

"Recently, some family circumstances have required me to reevaluate where my time and attention are needed most," Alcorta said. "While I remain deeply committed to Caldwell and its future, I have concluded that I cannot devote the time and energy necessary to pursue this campaign and serve in the manner our residents deserve."

During the campaign, Alcorta met with residents across the borough to discuss local issues, listen to community concerns, and share his vision for Caldwell's future. He also expressed gratitude for the support, encouragement, and confidence shown to him during the recent Primary Election.

"This decision was not made lightly," Alcorta said. "Anyone who knows me understands that I take commitments seriously. I believe public service requires a full commitment, but at this time my family must come first."

Although he’s stepping away from the race, Alcorta said he’ll remain actively involved in the community and continue supporting efforts to enhance the quality of life in Caldwell. He also expressed his strong support for Kenneth R. Jurgensen, Jonathan Sagalow, and Mark Heftler.

"I believe Jurgensen, Sagalow and Heftler have the experience, vision, and dedication needed to move Caldwell forward," Alcorta said. "I encourage residents to continue supporting their campaign and remain engaged in the issues that affect our community."

Alcorta added that while he is ending his current campaign, he remains committed to public service and hopes to continue serving the borough in the future.

"I'm grateful to everyone who supported me, encouraged me, and placed their confidence in me," Alcorta said. "Serving our community has always been important to me, and I look forward to continuing that service as a resident of Caldwell.” Jurgensen and Sagalow thanked Alcorta for his dedication and expressed their support for his decision to prioritize his family.

"Ricardo has been an outstanding member of our team and a tireless advocate for Caldwell," Jurgensen and Sagalow said. "While we'll miss having him on the ballot, we fully support his decision to put his family first and appreciate everything he has contributed to this campaign."

To fill the vacancy, Jurgensen and Sagalow announced that Mark Heftler has agreed to join the ticket after previously planning to seek office in 2027.

Heftler brings a diverse background in law, business, technology, and public service to the Town Council race. A graduate of Marist University and Seton Hall University School of Law, he has built a career centered on problem-solving, innovation, and public service.

For the past five years, Heftler served as Arbitrator Relations Counsel and AI Legal Director at Forthright, where he led initiatives to improve dispute resolution and streamline legal processes for a statewide arbitration program. He recently joined a prestigious law firm as Senior Counsel in its National Appellate Litigation & Consulting practice group, continuing his work in advocacy, legal strategy, and public service.

Throughout his legal career, Heftler has represented municipalities, businesses, community associations, charitable organizations, and individual residents across New Jersey. He also served as Chairman and Commissioner of the Sussex County Board of Elections from 2024 to 2025, helping oversee election administration and voter access. In addition, he earned an Executive MBA with honors from Quantic School of Business and Technology.

A proud Caldwell resident, Heftler lives on Roseland Avenue and is committed to building a more responsive, transparent, and effective local government.

A Team Focused on Results

Jurgensen, Sagalow, and Heftler are running on a platform centered on accountability, affordability, transparency, and practical leadership. Their goal is to work collaboratively with fellow Council members, borough staff, and residents to address Caldwell's long-term needs while maintaining responsible financial stewardship.

Their priorities include:

• Advancing long-planned capital improvement projects, including upgrades to the Community Center, Police Department, legal offices, and records retention facilities.
• Installing a stormwater retention system beneath the Provost Square parking lot to help mitigate recurring flooding along the Pine Brook corridor.
• Developing a comprehensive 10-year capital and asset management plan to maintain borough facilities, extend their useful life, and better manage long-term costs.
• Establishing guidelines for developers, contractors, business owners, and homeowners that preserve Caldwell's historic buildings, streetscapes, and downtown character.

The team said these initiatives will be guided by clear timelines, regular public reporting, responsible financial planning, and transparency in spending, contracts, and decision-making.

"Our campaign is focused on delivering results for Caldwell residents," the candidates said in a joint statement. "We believe local government works best when it's transparent, accountable, and responsive to the people it serves. We're committed to listening to residents, working collaboratively, and making decisions that strengthen our community for the future.”

Transparent Leadership, Professional Planning, A Better Caldwell for All