Politics & Government

Republicans Lead Hillsborough Committee Election: Results 2021

Hillsborough Township Committee has four candidates vying for two seats. See the results as they come in:

Clockwise from top left: Shawn Lipani, Steve Cohen, Roger Koch, and Jeffrey Wright.
Clockwise from top left: Shawn Lipani, Steve Cohen, Roger Koch, and Jeffrey Wright. (Courtesy of Shawn Lipani, Steve Cohen, Roger Koch, and Jeffrey Wright)

Updated as of 8:56 a.m. on Nov. 3

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough incumbent Republicans are leading in the polls for the two township committee seats as the municipal clerk is reporting unofficial results as of 11 p.m.

The unofficial results do not include all Mail-In and Provisional Ballots.

Find out what's happening in Hillsboroughfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

There are four candidates vying for the three, three-year seats. Republican incumbents Shawn Lipani and newcomer Republican Steven Cohen are leading over Democratic incumbent Jeffrey Wright and newcomer Democrat Roger Koch.


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Find out what's happening in Hillsboroughfor free with the latest updates from Patch.


Here are the unofficial results as of 12:02 a.m., according to Hillsborough Township Municipal Clerk (* denotes incumbent):

Somerset County Board of County Commissioners:

  • Michael Kirsh - Republican - 42,072
  • Amber Murad - Republican - 41,019
  • Shanel Y. Robinson* - Democrat - 36,169
  • Sara Sooy* - Democrat - 35,675

Taking a look at the candidates, there are two incumbents running - Lipani and Wright.

Cohen, 67, moved to Hillsborough over 20 years ago where he previously served on the Hillsborough Township Board of Education.

"I am driven to give back to the community that has been so good to me and my family, and my desire to join the Township Committee is a continuation of that journey," said Cohen. Read Cohen's full profile here: Hillsborough Committee Election 2021: Steven Cohen

Koch says he is running for township committee because he believes his "skills, experience, and passion will make a difference to town residents. I became a lawyer in my mid-thirties to pursue a long- held inclination to use my competitive spirit to fight as an advocate for those treated unfairly. I attended law school during the evening while working during the day. I graduated from Seton Hall University Law School, cum laude with honors in 1990. Now I want to champion our township's residents' interests through my service on the Township Committee as I have for my clients as a lawyer. I want to be their voice on the Township Committee." Read Koch's' full profile here: Hillsborough Committee Election 2021: Roger E. Koch

Lipani, 57, currently serves as Mayor of Hillsborough.

"As a lifelong resident and business owner in this town, I feel that I provide a unique perspective of Hillsborough's past, present and future. When I ran three years ago, I felt, and still feel, it is important to have a voice for the business owners of Hillsborough. Many live in Hillsborough but still many do not, so I advocate on their behalf. I have been honored to serve this town and wish to continue the work I started," said Lipani. Read Lipani's full profile here: Hillsborough Committee Election 2021: Shawn Lipani

Wright, 50, moved to Hillsborough in 2014 with his family in part because of Hillsborough's reputation for great neighborhoods, schools, activities, and home values.

"Since then I have become acutely aware of neighbors' concerns about tax increases, rapid construction and overdevelopment, and more recently, restoring the health and prosperity of our community after the pandemic. I am a registered Financial Advisor, and I feel that by having a deep understanding of our township finances, I can help make Hillsborough more affordable both for those who have lived here many years and for those who are just joining our community," said Wright. Read Wright's full profile here: Hillsborough Committee Election 2021: Jeffrey A. Wright

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