Freeholder Ward Announces Retirement; Westfield Councilman Haas Explores Bid

A Westfield councilman said he’s exploring a run for county freeholder after Freeholder Nancy Ward announced her retirement Friday morning.

Ward, a Westfield resident, announced via a press release from the county Democratic Party that she is not going to seek a third full term on the freeholder board. Ward, who has been the subject of reports that she would not seek reelection, cited her professional and family obligations in the announcement.

“I am proud of my work as a freeholder as it gave me the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others,” Ward said in a statement. “I thank my colleagues on the board, our Democratic chairwoman, our county family of employees, and the residents of Union County for their support. I am grateful to have been called for public service to the people of Union County.”

, who during a December special election convention, told Patch Friday morning that he is considering a bid to replace Ward on the county Democratic ticket. Freeholders Angel Estrada of Elizabeth and Chris Hudak of Linden are likely to seek reelection. Hudak defeated Haas during the December convention.

“I’d like to be considered, I have not formally decided,” Haas said. “I am certainly interested. I am going to start talking to people around the county to see if it makes sense.”

Haas said after the December convention that he sought the seat in order to promote the contributions of suburban Democrats in the county party and to increase the presence of the western suburbs on the all-Democratic freeholder board. On the nine-member board, only Ward, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski of Cranford and Freeholder Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella of Fanwood reside in western suburban communities. Freeholder Linda Carter of Plainfield is the fourth official from the western part of the county.

It is not known whom county Democratic officials are considering for Ward’s seat, which traditionally was held by a Linden resident. Ward was a Linden resident when she was appointed in October 2004 to succeed former Freeholder John Wohlrab, who had succeeded state Sen. Nick Scutari (D-Linden) in the seat. Ward won full terms of her own in 2005 and 2008, moving to Westfield following her last election. Hudak’s appointment brought a Linden resident back to the board.

County Democrats have traditionally balanced their tickets with residents from the county’s urban communities. Rahway, which had two freeholders for most of the decade, has not had a resident on the board since Rick Proctor’s December resignation to become the city’s mayor.

On the Republican side, Summit Councilwoman , who , has indicated that she plans to run again this year.

Ward, an attorney who served on the Linden Economic Development Corporation’s board, is being remembered for her work to combat gang violence and promote open space. Ward’s signature issue has been gang violence prevention, where she created Christopher’s Program between the county and the court system to reduce gang and youth violence. The program, which has won awards, is part of Freeholder Chairwoman Deborah Scanlon’s. Scanlon has called for the creation of an advisory board to oversee the program.

“Nancy is a humanitarian who will be remembered for her work on this board in helping others,” Scanlon said in a statement. “She will be missed and we all wish her well.”

Ward has also served as chairwoman of the county’s open space trust fund and the county’s shared services committee, along with being liaison to the county planning board and advisory committees handling AIDS, alcoholism and drug abuse policy.

Haas, who serves as Westfield’s Democratic chairman, said Ward’s work to reduce gang violence will be her legacy when she leaves office at the end of the year.

“She’s done a lot of very good stuff for the county,” Haas said in an interview. “Her program, Christopher’s Program, which has won awards for helping provide role models for kids has been a real benefit for the community.”