Hillsborough Primary Election Profile: Douglas Tomson

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough's preliminary election on July 7 has four candidates running for two open seats on the Township Committee. Douglas Tomson, 39, is one of two Republican candidates running.

Incumbent Tomson works as Vice President of Government Affairs for the NJ Realtors for the past 17 years. His family includes his wife Rachel and three daughters Sara, Hailey and Hannah.

Tomson has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Global and Multinational Studies from Rider University.

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

Campaign website

Hillsboroughgop.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

To continue to ensure that Hillsborough is regarded as one of the best towns in America.

The single most pressing issue facing our community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The biggest issue that will be facing Hillsborough and our state will be the recovery from COVID-19. That is why we have proactively named a task force to be in place to Reopen Hillsborough when the time comes. I looked to the various expertise in functional areas including health, public safety and business. Since the start of the stay at home order, Hillsborough Municipal Services have been operational, despite the building being closed to the public, this task force will be charged with assisting in the roll-out of physically opening the building to the public as well as the rest of the community, including our schools, the library and our businesses.

The individuals selected to be on the task force include:

• Office of Emergency Management Director John Sheridan
• Health Officer Siobhan Spano
• Chief of Police Mike McMahon
• Deputy Mayor Shawn Lipani
• Committeeman Frank DelCore
• Administrator Anthony Ferrera
• Township Clerk, PIO Pamela Borek
• Business Advocate David Kois
• Economic & Business Development Commission Chair Charles Ruggieri
• Economic & Business Development Commission Member Janine Erickson
• School Superintendent Dr. Lisa Antunes

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Top issues include, maintaining a budget that is below the 2 percent property tax cap, fighting the draconian unfunded state mandate of affordable housing that keeps destroying our open space and burdening our schools, implementing a plan for a new downtown, continuing to improve infrastructure under our aggressive road paving plan and working to create a new senior center for our residents.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have served on the township committee for nine years include three as Mayor and three as Deputy Mayor.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

"Never do anything you don't want your mom to read on the front page of the newspaper."

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I was born and raised in Hillsborough and I am a graduate of Hillsborough High School. I received a BA in Political Science and Global and Multinational Studies from Rider University and live with my wife Rachel who is a teacher and our three daughters Sara, Hannah and Hailey.