By Chuck O’Donnell, TapInto New Brunswick
March 3, 2022
In an election year in which the City Council will expand to seven seats, the New Brunswick Democratic Organization (NBDO) today announced that Mayor Jim Cahill and Councilmembers Kevin Egan and Rebecca Escobar will be seeking re-election to four-year terms.
In addition, the NBDO is launching a screening process for two additional council candidates to run on its slate for the June primary, as the City Council expands from five seats to seven seats. One new council slot will be a four-year term; the other will be a two-year term.
NBDO Chairman T.K. Shamy said this will be a transformational year for the City’s government, as the organization puts forth candidates who have served New Brunswick, while also presenting newcomers who will offer additional perspective and insight about the direction of the City.
“There’s no doubt the City has benefited enormously from the commitment and tremendous vision of Mayor Cahill and Councilmembers Egan and Escobar,” Shamy said. “New Brunswick serves as a national leader in redevelopment. It’s difficult to find any city that has undergone a more incredible and lasting renaissance than New Brunswick. And that is directly accountable to Mayor Cahill and the entire City Council.”
Cahill, a lifelong resident completing his eighth term as mayor, is widely recognized for his energy, determination and vision, continually working with residents and the business and civic community to identify new ways to stabilize taxes and continually improve our City.
“Every service, every program, and every one of the nearly $5 billion in redevelopment initiatives we’ve undertaken helps us meet these goals,” the mayor added.
Egan, elected to the City Council in 2011 and served as council president, has championed job creation and the rights and protection of working men and women. With four decades in construction, and as the business representative for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 456, Egan has been a vital voice in the careful redevelopment of the community.
“New Brunswick’s redevelopment efforts have produced 7,500 new jobs for New Brunswick residents, and generates more than $22 million a year to support government services and public schools, always resulting in New Brunswick being among the lowest in residential taxes in Middlesex County,” he added. “As a lifelong resident of New Brunswick, I’m pleased with how much we’ve accomplished. And with so much more redevelopment in the pipeline, I look forward to serving another four years on the City Council.”
Escobar, elected to the City Council in 2010 and now serving as council vice president, is widely known for her grassroots work and keen interest in ensuring all community groups have a connection to City Hall. Her work on the governing body dovetails with a professional career as a community advocate, working as Program Director, Middlesex County Youth Advocate Programs.
“As a vocal community advocate and parent, I have a very strong understanding of the needs of the people of New Brunswick,” Escobar said. “In my role on the City Council, I’ve fought for and succeeded in improving and enforcing tenant rights, expanding health care options and creating a safer City by building key community partnerships. As a proud catalyst of change, I am running for reelection to continue that momentum, while exploring new initiatives that ensure residents continue to benefit directly from the many program and redevelopment initiatives now underway.”
