Westfield Ward 3 General Election 2023: Dawn Nichol-Manning

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield's general election on Nov. 7 has eight candidates running for four open seats representing each ward in Town.

Democrat Dawn Alicia Nichol-Manning is running for the one, four-year seat representing Ward 3 against Republican Michal D. Domogala.

Other candidates include Democrat Emily L. Root and Republican Todd B. Saunders for Ward 1; Democrat Erika J. Vargas Garrison and Republican Michael Armento; and Republican David Kiefer and Democrat Scott A. Katz for Ward 4.

Are you running for office in Westfield? Contact Alexis Tarrazi at alexis.tarrazi@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Westfield Patch.

Dawn Nichol-Manning

Age: 50

Town of residence: Westfield

Position sought: Town Council Ward 3

Party affiliation: Democrat

Family: Husband Dennis Manning, Daughter Alee and son Adonai

Education: M. Ed., D.Div/Th., and Ed.S.

Occupation: Professional Educator and President of the East Orange Education Association

Previous or current elected appointed office: N/A

Campaign website: None listed.

Why are you seeking election for Town Council?

I am seeking election for Town Council because I want to be a voice at the table for all the residents of our community. As I campaign door to door, I enjoy talking to residents and listening to their concerns and hopes for the future of our town. I enjoy the quality of lifeWestfield offers and I want to do my part to ensure that we continue to move forward on a number of fronts. We’re making great progress, but there is still so much more work ahead.


Development in Westfield including the Westfield One Project and development in general has become a hot topic in town. How do you feel about development in Town?

Development is important to any thriving town. Let’s remember that much of the development that we are seeing today is the result of a 2017 settlement agreement the prior administration reached with the Fair Share Housing Center. One Westfield Place is the result of the changing retail landscape. The last thing I want to see in our town is a large department store sitting vacant for years and years. Lord & Taylor remains our largest taxpayer in town. One Westfield Place will will benefit our downtown in numerous ways. People who live and work in the development will shop in our stores and dine in our restaurants, ensuring that our downtown will continue to thrive.


The Edison Fields Bond Ordinance has been added to the ballot to go up for public vote in November. What do you think of the project and the use of turf over natural grass?

This referendum has been assigned to the ballot. All residents should review all information and decide, fully understanding the pros and cons as it pertains to our student athletes, school marching band, and recreationists.

There have been more discussions about crime in the Town in regards to car and home burglaries. Are you happy with how the Town and Police are handling this? And how would you like to improve this?

I am proud of the work that is done by our Westfield Police. The Westfield Police Department is the first agency in Union County and the fifth in New Jersey to have been awarded accreditation by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police for both its entire agency and its public safety emergency communications center. The WPD has taken significant strides in keeping criminal activity low. We have to assist our police by locking our doors, keeping our key fobs out of our vehicles, and ensuring that we practice safety measures to combat those who seek to find ways to commit criminal acts. In reviewing criminal acts that occurred over the last 10 years up until now, the numbers have dropped and that is due to the proactive strategizing and training the police department continues to execute. I encourage our police department to continue doing the hard work to keep Westfield safe.

What sets you apart from the challenging candidates?

I am an educator, union leader, and pastor by profession. I have a unique way of being attentive to what people say and then working with others to address concerns; and develop solutions and remedies. I enjoy putting time in researching and delivering information to aid in making people knowledgeable about facts to better enhance their given circumstances.

What else would you like to share about yourself or your campaign?

I have enjoyed meeting so many great people during this campaign. If elected, I will commit to working hard by being an attentive ear to Ward 3 citizens’ concerns and will ensure that their suggestions are brought to the table.