Republicans Announce Candidacy For Newtown Township Supervisor

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Valerie Mihalek and Todd McGonigal have announced their candidacy for two open seats on the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors.

Joined by supporters and friends at the Newtown Athletic Club, the Republicans kicked off their campaign to take back majority control of the township’s five-member governing board.

The two are running together on a “For A Better Newtown” platform and against “secret agendas."

Mihalek is a community advocate, former elected official, and non-profit director who has impacted local, state and federal policies on flood mitigation, public safety, 9/11 related issues and health care.

Mihalek brings with her to the race a long background in local government and public service having served on the Yardley Borough Council and later as first deputy director for former U.S. Congressman Michael Fitzpatrick.

She collaborated with Bucks County 9/11 families to have two Pennsylvania laws enacted, one designating the Garden of Reflection in Lower Makefield as Pennsylvania’s official state 9/11 memorial and the other that mandated 9/11 as a day of reflection for schools in Pennsylvania.

Mihalek was also instrumental in pushing forward "Right To Try" legislation on the national level, which was signed into law during President's Trump first term in office. And following a fight against skin cancer, she worked with State Sen. Steve Santarsiero to pass legislation recognizing May as Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

More recently, Mihalek has lobbied for pedestrian safety improvements at a mid-block crosswalk at Tara Boulevard and Newtown-Yardley Road. She enlisted residents from her development, engaged the police department, and successfully lobbied the township to have the speed limit lowered.

The residents also lobbied successfully for improvements to the crosswalk, "which we're still waiting on three years later. It has not been easy. But yet they tried to shotgun a sewer plant into the township literally overnight," she said.

“Local government should work for the people and solve problems, not create problems," said Mihalek. "The last four years, we saw what happened on the national level with one-party rule and people who didn't put America first, some of which was forced into our local issues."

She continued, "Local government should be reflecting your values, not repeating national talking points. For over a decade now, we in Newtown have all paid the price for it with increased taxes, no clear priorities, the injection of national issues for political purposes, unfair business regulations, over instead of smart development, degraded infrastructure and public safety, and cloak and dagger government, which cost the residents of Newtown versus protecting you. Newtown deserves better.”

McGonigal is a father, husband, and small business owner from Newtown who said he believes in the power of hard work and giving back to the community.

"I understand the responsibility I would be taking on (as supervisor) to preserve the greatness of Newtown," said McGonigal. "It's not lost on me that this is an important role and should not be taken lightly. I thoroughly enjoy the parks and fields where my boys play. My wife and I even had our first date and got engaged right here. To say Newtown has a significant meaning in my life would be an understatement."

McGonigal spent 14 years building a successful career in sales, working for one of the largest liquor and wine distributors in New Jersey. He is now a small business owner, partnering with his wife to run the Yardley Ice House and the Newtown Ice House, both hugely successful businesses.

Whether at home, in the office, or in the community, McGonigal said he believes in leading with integrity, kindness, and with a strong sense of responsibility.

“I believe I’ve been called to serve as a steward for our cherished town," he said. "I have seen and experienced the changing landscape of Newtown. I felt the grip of local government on my small business ... With your support, I vow to lead with integrity. I vow to listen to the public and take their concerns into consideration and have open discussions. I won’t ignore traffic and safety concerns or be led by secret agendas. I will be the voice for a better Newtown.”

On the issues, both said they are against a proposal by the Newtown, Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority to build a wastewater treatment plant in the township and will fight until the project is off the table.

They have criticized the current board for keeping the public "in the dark" on the sewer project issue and for allowing the authority to condemn land for the proposed project without the public’s knowledge.

They are also opposed to the township’s single-use plastics ban, which they say has created "immense frustration" among consumers and small businesses in Newtown.

“People have always been able to bring their own bags (to the store) and will continue to be able to do so once we overturn this ordinance,” said McGonigal. “We want to support small business and allow them to grow and prosper here, not be choked by governmental policy. We have many more important issues to focus on."

Traffic and pedestrian safety are also key concerns for the candidates who said they would advocate for improvements, where needed.

“We’re excited to have Valerie and Todd as our candidates for Newtown Township Supervisor,” said Bernie Sauer, who is serving as their campaign manager. “Valerie is very experienced in local politics. She has the charisma. She knows how to get things done. That’s why I’m anxious to get her elected. With her in that position, Newtown Township is going to be in great hands.

Added Sauer, “Todd is a well-recognized Newtown business owner who wants to do right for his community. His dedication to his business and to his family tells you what kind of person he is. He wants to give back to Newtown and get back to the way it used to be in Newtown.”

Newtown Athletic Club owner Jim Worthington, who will be advising the campaign after helping to orchestrate President Trump's win in Bucks County in 2024, said both Valerie and Todd will be “great candidates” for the township.

“Even though they are running as Republicans, they don’t need a label," said Worthington. "They are running to find ways to better our community and serve all of our residents, no matter what their party affiliation. They are running to make our community better, not to bring national politics into the board room."

He added, "The current board has made it about Democrat versus Republican when it should be about everybody working together. They have divided this community. I’m looking forward to Valerie and Todd getting elected so we can all work together for a better Newtown.”