These 2 Are Running For Woodbridge's 1st Ward Council Seat This Year

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — The First Ward Council seat that used to be held by Nancy Bader Drumm will be up for election this year, 2022, in Woodbridge.

Drumm passed away in late December at the age of 62; the cause of death was cancer.

Because Drumm was a Democrat, Woodbridge's Democratic committee previously selected Sharon McAuliffe, a fellow Democrat, to fill her seat. McAuliffe was Drumm's best friend, according to the Home News Tribune.

McAuliffe announced this week she will officially run for re-election in November for the seat.

She will face a challenge from Republican John Vrtaric, the owner of a local hair salon. Vrtaric has run multiple times in the past for Woodbridge town council.

McAuliffe is the owner of Knot Just Bagels, a Woodbridge institution. The Main Street bagel business has been open for the past 17 years, but she was forced to leave last summer when the property owner sold the land so it could be converted into a seven-story apartment building.

McAuliffe previously told Patch she plans to reopen Knot Just Bagels, this time at 93 Main Street. But she has not reopened yet.

Monday, April 4 was the filing deadline for candidates to run for Woodbridge town council. The election will be November 8.

Stay tuned for Patch profiles of McAuliffe and Vrtaric. Woodbridge residents: Send us the questions you want Patch to ask them! Carly.baldwin@patch.com

Prior: Longtime Woodbridge Councilwoman Nancy Drumm Dies (Jan. 3, 2022)