Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle, Clinton Mayor Janice Kovach, and Hillside Mayor Dahlia Vertreese to Lead Policy Initiatives on Fulop for Governor Campaign

Local Leaders Join Atlantic City Mayor Small in Endorsing Fulop, Will Direct Campaign’s Policy Team To Develop Solutions for State’s Challenges 

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle, Clinton Mayor Janice Kovach, and Hillside Mayor Dahlia Vertreese will join the leadership of the Fulop for Governor campaign, with responsibility for directing its policy initiatives to provide substantive solutions to confront the challenges facing New Jersey families. As some of the most impactful political leaders in the state, the three mayors will add significant and diverse local experience and relationships to the Fulop for Governor campaign.

“Democrats in New Jersey want to hear more from local political leaders about how we can address the challenges facing our communities and improve their quality of life, and that’s why our campaign will present the most expansive and detailed policy agenda ever seen in a gubernatorial primary,” said Mayor Fulop. “Mayor Brindle, Mayor Kovach, and Mayor Vertreese will each be a critical part of our campaign leadership team and their accomplishments leading their communities speak for themselves. I’m excited to work closely with these Mayors who each have valuable experience solving problems and a strong vision for how state and local government can make a difference in improving peoples’ lives.”

Mayors Brindle, Kovach, and Vertreese join Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr., in supporting the Fulop for Governor campaign. Mayor Small endorsed Mayor Fulop last week and is serving as a campaign co-chair.

“I am excited to partner with Mayor Fulop to create a substance driven campaign that will confront the issues that Westfield and other municipalities throughout our state continue to face, particularly those related to transportation, affordability, and responsible economic development,” said Mayor Brindle. “Working alongside Mayors Kovach and Vertreese, we have an opportunity to be on the ground floor developing the policy agenda that could shape the future of our state for the benefit of all residents and business owners. As a successful Mayor in Jersey City, Mayor Fulop brings years of governing experience and a practical understanding of how decisions in Trenton impact the day to day lives of taxpayers, and that makes him uniquely well-equipped to serve New Jersey.”

Mayor Brindle is a twice elected Mayor of Westfield who led the slate that flipped the community from Republican to Democratic leadership on a platform of downtown economic revitalization, fiscal responsibility, and quality of life improvements. Prior to running for public office, Mayor Brindle had an extensive executive career in the private sector. She currently serves on the Executive Board of the NJ League of Municipalities and is the Co-Founder of the Raritan Valley Line Mayors’ Alliance and will bring the perspective of transit oriented suburban communities to inform policy for the Fulop campaign.

“Mayors serve on the front lines of our communities — we know what kind of progress is possible with additional resources and innovative policy solutions from state government, and that’s exactly what Steven Fulop will pursue as our next Governor,” said Mayor Kovach. “I can’t wait to get to work with Mayor Fulop and his team putting together an agenda for progress that will benefit communities all over our state.”

A three term Democratic mayor of Republican-leaning Clinton, Mayor Kovach is a former president of the New Jersey League of Municipalities and is widely regarded as one of the state’s most effective mayors.

“Mayor Fulop is not just someone I admire as a fellow mayor and a dedicated leader and public servant, I’m proud to call him a true friend who has supported me throughout my political career,” said Mayor Vertreese. “Our state needs a bold yet pragmatic vision for how we can help struggling communities and families succeed, and I know that Steven Fulop is the best candidate to make that a reality.”

Mayor Vertreese was re-elected in 2021 and swept the local Council races, giving her a clear majority on the local governing body. She is one of the state’s only Black women mayors and has been involved in public service, organized labor and education throughout her career.

The Fulop for Governor campaign anticipates a consistent rollout of substantive policy initiatives to begin in late summer and continue over the subsequent several months.

“I believe the voters reward campaigns that are thoughtful around public policy and present more than just the same basic platitudes they are used to seeing,” Mayor Fulop concluded. “Our plan is to showcase a strong record in Jersey City and a detailed plan for all of New Jersey.”