Moorestown Democrats Endorse Gillespie, Donnelly For Council

MOORESTOWN, NJ — An administrator at a Moorestown-based non-profit and a nationally recognized attorney will challenge for two open, four-year seats on council in this year’s municipal elections, the Moorestown Democratic Committee announced. The committee endorsed Nicole Gillespie and Brian Donnelly as their candidates Thursday night. They are both military veterans with over 30 years of service.

Mayor Stacey Jordan and Deputy Mayor Manny Delgado are up for re-election this year. The deadline to file petitions in the primaries is April 2. The primary elections and the deadline to file petitions to run as independent or third-party candidates is June 5. The general elections are set for Nov. 6.

Gillespie is a U.S. Naval Academy Graduate and Executive Director and CEO of the Knowles Teacher Initiative, an education non-profit located in Moorestown, the committee said in a release. In her current role, Gillespie is responsible for a $6.5 million annual budget, with the goal of improving science and mathematics education throughout the United States. Her run for office is prompted by her desire to restore transparency, accountability, and public engagement to council.

“I have deep concerns about how contracts are currently being awarded, and whether appropriate oversight and due diligence are being applied,” Gillespie said. “I have also seen a troubling lack of transparency on important issues like water safety and affordable housing. I am running for council because I care deeply about our town, and I believe we can and must do better.”

Donnelly is a nationally recognized attorney with a Master of Law in Taxation. His practice is focused on counseling closely held businesses and multinational corporations in transactions and litigation. He is a 23-year veteran of the armed forces. A former U.S. Marine, he now serves as a Judge Advocate in the Army Reserves with the rank of Major.

“I have spent virtually all of my life in South Jersey. As a business and tax attorney I know firsthand what we’re up against when it comes to growing our economic base and maintaining Moorestown as an attractive place for both existing and new businesses,” Donnelly said. “There is a world of competition and change out there. We need to be proactive, flexible and creative, while strategically allocating our resources so we can grow our town without relying solely on taxes as revenue. There are a lot of third parties out there on both sides of the ledger and we need to get them involved.”

“Our town has so many great opportunities and talented residents,” Moorestown Democratic Municipal Chairperson Katherine Hartman said. “I am so excited that in Nicole Gillespie and Brian Donnelly, we have two candidates who will finally move Moorestown forward by listening to residents and businesses, taking their input into account, and maximizing the value of every taxpayer dollar.”

Patch file photo