Chatham Democratic Chair Announces Endorsed Candidates for 2026 Borough Council Election

A. Sophia Hull, a dedicated and community-minded resident of Chatham Borough and Nicholas Eck, a long-time resident, volunteer, and (briefly) former mayor will be the Chatham Borough Democratic Committee’s choice for Borough Council this year, according to Chair Pat Soteropoulos.

“We thank both Mr. Hargrove and Mr. Strickland for their hard work and hours of dedication to the Council,” said Mayor Carolyn Dempsey. Mr. Hargrove elected not to run for re-election citing the heavy workload and other demands on his time, and Mr. Strickland is running for the Democratic nomination for the New Jersey 11th district Congressional seat.

Soteropoulos announced: “We are so thrilled to have Sophia and Nick run for Chatham Borough Council and have the support of our committee and the Morris County Democratic Committee. They love our town and I know both will be a great addition to the Council.

Ms. Hull grew up in Chatham and graduated from the Chatham Public School system where she was an active member of the student body. She went on to study at the University of Maryland and at the Pratt Institute before returning to Chatham.

Professionally, Ms. Hull is an environmental planner, combining her backgrounds in environmental science and policy, and professional city planning. She is a strong advocate for sustainability and the natural environment. Locally, she serves on the Borough’s Shade Tree Commission and is an alternate on the Borough Planning Board.

“I am running because I love our town and am dedicated to serving our community,” said Hull, “I have such fond memories of growing up in such a great town and I’m grateful that I can continue to build my life and family here.”

Mr. Eck may be best known for a short stint as interim Mayor in 2011 (filling a vacancy between departure of the incumbent mayor and swearing in of the elected mayor). He has been an active volunteer in Chatham Borough since 2008, including serving on the Communications and Technology Committee (former chair), and currently on the Environmental Commission.

Mr. Eck has lived in Chatham Borough for 30 years with his wife Melissa. Their son is a CHS graduate who attended Chatham public schools from first grade onward. “As a proud owner of one of the last standing small ranch homes in town, I feel strongly connected to the warm, caring, and neighborly Chatham Borough that we moved into 30 years ago. I hope to help it stay that way by serving on the Council,” Eck stated.

Both candidates emphasized the importance of strong public safety, fiscal accountability, supporting local businesses, and an engaged, inclusive community. “We are running on our shared values of caring, empathy, and stewardship of the community,” they said, “to ensure that municipal government remains transparent and responsive, that we protect our exceptional quality of life, and that every voice in Chatham Borough is heard.”

“The Morris County Democratic Committee looks forward to enthusiastically supporting Hull and Eck” said Morris County Chair Darcy Draeger. “Both bring years of hands-on experience serving and supporting the Chatham Borough community. And as public discourse faces unprecedented challenges to truth and accountability, we need leaders like Sophia and Nick, who are committed to honesty, integrity, and accountability.”

“I believe these values are more important than ever, especially as they may face a primary challenge from a former Republican with a history of divisive and sometimes false statements. Watching the pressures on our 39 municipalities—from federal interference in towns like Roxbury to other attacks on local authority—has made clear that having dependable leaders we can trust is critical. Hull and Eck will protect local rule and stand up for the people they serve. I know Chatham Borough will benefit from their leadership, experience, and dedication for years to come.”