GOP Mayor Hayes Kicks Off Re-Election Bid in Bridgewater 

Touts town as a conservative success story 

For Immediate Release 

Contact: Mayor Dan Hayes 

Bridgewater, February 4, 2019 – Republican Mayor Dan Hayes kicked off his re-election campaign with a rally at the Elks Lodge in Bridgewater late last week in front of several hundred supporters touting the township he’s led for 7+ years as a conservative success story.   

Here is a video message from Mayor Hayes at the event. 

“We’ve governed with honesty, integrity and transparency.  We’ve governed with conservative fiscal principles that put taxpayers first.  And we’ve always placed the well-being of the town and its people ahead of politics,” said Mayor Hayes in his speech.  “In short, we’ve done it the right way…and positive results have followed.” 

Hayes touted accomplishments, such as: 

• The lowest municipal property tax rate in Somerset County 
• 3,600 acres of land in the town being set aside for parks and recreation 
• Millions dedicated for infrastructure, including road paving and sidewalk repair 
• Billions in economic development over time that helps keep residential taxes low 

“We have pursued a vision for the Township that is simple yet encompassing and helped create a quality of life that is the exemplar of other communities,” said Mayor Hayes.  “If you live in Bridgewater you are glad you do, and if you don’t you wish you did.” 

Facing a primary challenge from former running mate Matt Moench, Hayes expressed confidence while urging his supporters to take nothing for granted.   

“While I am confident in my record, we must not take anything for granted.  Candidates and campaigns who run like they can’t lose often do.  We cannot let that kind of complacency and overconfidence derail our campaign,” said Mayor Hayes near the close of his speech.  

When asked about his opponent and the prospects of a primary election, Mayor Hayes responded with saying that, “…my opponent has consistently voted for and supported my Administration’s agenda, right up until he decided to run against me.  I guess he’s going to run on the John Kerry playbook in this primary of being against something after he was once for it.  I am confident the Republican voters in Bridgewater will see through that for what it is.”    

Hayes has been a Bridgewater resident for over 20 years and Mayor since 2010.  He works as a Physics Teacher at Piscataway H.S. and he is his wife, Diana, have three daughters and a son-in-law.  Hayes is a member of Somerville BPOE Elks Lodge 1068 and of the Knights of Columbus, where he is a Past Grand Knight.  An outdoorsman, Hayes’ hobbies include SCUBA diving, hiking, kayaking and fishing.  The Mayor earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Rhode Island and his M.B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.