New Providence Mayor, Democrat Opponent Set For November Showdown After Primary Wins

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ — Incumbent Mayor Al Morgan secured the Republican nomination for New Providence Borough mayor Tuesday, setting up a November general election matchup against Democratic primary winner Kathleen Dolan.

Morgan, who ran unopposed in the Republican primary, received 440 votes. Dolan won the Democratic mayoral primary with 1,037 votes.

In the Borough Council race, Democrats Johan Starr and Tobias Rossmann won their primary with 986 and 962 votes respectively, and will face Republicans Nadine Geoffroy and Michael Pennisi — who received 420 and 398 votes — in November.

Morgan is a lifelong New Providence resident who was born and raised in the borough, educated through its school system, married there, started his business there and has raised his children and grandchildren there. He describes New Providence as "a very unique and special place" and has made preserving its small-town character the centerpiece of his time in office.

During his tenure, Morgan has pointed to a wide range of accomplishments: maintaining the borough's AAA bond rating, stabilizing tax rates, maximizing shared services and keeping operating costs low. On the infrastructure side, he oversaw construction of a new state-of-the-art rescue squad building and emergency shelter, upgraded emergency communication systems, instituted flood control and stream bank erosion projects, and rebuilt pedestrian bridges damaged by Hurricane Ida.

He also built Centennial Park at no cost to taxpayers, renovated Veterans Park, built Harmony Park, installed new playgrounds across all borough parks, added pickleball courts and a cricket pitch, and updated the DeCorso Community and Senior Center and the library. Most recently, he developed and implemented a borough-wide traffic and safety plan and a 20-year repaving plan.

"Ensuring safety, building community, preserving our small hometown quality of life, while broadening our business and economic growth, keeping costs down while promoting growth and innovation has always been my top priority," Morgan said.

Morgan said his vision for New Providence is rooted in the belief that strong communities are built from the ground up. "I believe great communities are built and maintained on hometown pride and spirit that fosters volunteerism and generates tremendous community contributions," he said. "When we feel connected to something good, we engage in it, invest in it, believe in it, and thrive in it, doing all we can to nurture it, contribute to it, protect it, and encourage its growth."

Looking ahead to November, Morgan said his commitment to residents remains firm. "There has been no greater honor for this hometown boy than to serve you as Mayor of our great community," he said. "I promise with my whole heart to continue to do all I can to promote an environment of inclusivity, hometown pride and spirit. Together, we will continue to do great things."

Morgan encouraged residents to reach out directly with any concerns. "My door is always open," he said. "I am here to serve."

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