2 Longtime Essex County Commissioners Won't Seek Re-Election

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County residents won’t be seeing two familiar names on the ballot for county commissioner the next time they step into the voting booth: Patricia Sebold and Brendan Gill.

Sebold and Gill – both Democrats – have served for a combined 48 years on the Essex County Board of Commissioners. Each recently announced that they won’t be running for re-election this year.

The board consists of nine members whose terms run concurrently. Five members are elected from their local districts, and four are elected at-large.

The Essex County Board Of County Commissioners has several powers, including approval of the annual operating and capital budgets. Other duties include passing ordinances and resolutions, overriding a veto of the county executive and conducting investigations.

PATRICIA SEBOLD

Earlier this month, the New Jersey Globe reported that Sebold – one of the longest-serving county commissioners in New Jersey – is not seeking re-election to a 12^th term. The at-large board member will leave office next January after more than 33 years in county government.

Sebold was appointed to complete an unexpired term in April 1993 and was elected to her first full term in November of that year. She was re-elected as a commissioner at-large in 1996 – and has been a constant presence on ballots ever since.

Sebold serves as chair of the Livingston Democratic Municipal Committee. She taught English at West Orange High School from 1970 until her retirement in 2001, and has served on the Essex County Vocational Schools Board of Education and as commissioner on the Essex County Board of Elections.

The longtime commissioner is the recipient of several awards, including the Sierra Club Achievement Award (2000), the Shirley Chisholm Government Award (2016), Achievement Award – Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr., Essex County Democratic Committee – Hall of Fame (1997) and Jewish Heritage Month Honoree – Essex County (2007).

• See Related: Essex County’s Pat Sebold Honored With Zoo Exhibit Dedication

BRENDAN GILL

On Friday, Gill announced that he has decided not to seek re-election as a county commissioner after 15 years. He currently serves as an at-large member of the board.

“This work has meant everything to me,” the lifelong Montclair resident wrote on social media.

“I’m deeply grateful to the people who trusted me, challenged me, and walked this road with me,” Gill said. “Thank you for the trust and the chance to give back.”

Gill was first elected as District 5 commissioner in 2011 and as a commissioner at-large in 2014. He has served as a top aide to three U.S. congress members: Frank Lautenberg, Bill Pascrell and Steve Rothman.

An entrenched presence in local Democratic politics – he serves as chair of the Montclair Democrats – Gill managed former Gov. Phil Murphy’s 2017 election campaign and served as a senior aide and campaign manager for U.S. Sen. Cory Booker. He currently operates his own public affairs and political consulting firm, The BGill Group LLC.

Gill recently ran in the Democratic primary election to replace Gov. Mikie Sherrill in the state’s 11^th congressional district, getting the fourth-highest vote total. He has endorsed Analilia Mejia in the general election.

• See Related: Gill Leans Into His Montclair Roots At Congress Campaign Launch

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