The Somerset County Democrats are pleased to announce that they have hired Elliot Schneier, former Political Director for the Morris County Democratic Committee, as their new Executive Director.

Schneier will be replacing outgoing Executive Director Louis Danowsky, who is leaving to pursue a career full-time as a theater music director, instrumentalist, and teacher. “As the world has been opening up post-COVID, I have been in the fortunate position to have various opportunities come my way including working as a music director for Paper Mill Playhouse’s summer musical theater programs, joining the faculty of DeSales University in the Fall as a resident music director, and working on out-of-town tryouts for new musicals that hope to have a future on Broadway,” said Danowsky in a statement to committee members.

He continued, “I am grateful to Chairwoman Schaffer for giving me the chance to help steer this committee under her guidance and lead our county candidates to historical re-election victories this past November.”

“I am excited to keep the momentum for Democrats going in Somerset County,” said Elliot Schneier. “I saw Chairwoman Schaffer’s work in Somerset as a model for Morris to follow as I oversaw the creation of a Black Caucus there and began a new Vote By Mail initiative. It will be great to work with the organization I’ve seen as a role model for the past year, and I want to thank Louis Danovsky for his work setting us up for more success this year.” Continued Schneier.

“We are sad to see Louis go, but we are grateful for all that he has helped this committee accomplish in his tenure as Executive Director and wish him the best in his new career path,” said Somerset County Democratic Chairwoman Peg Schaffer, “We are excited to bring Elliot on board because his past experience working with the Morris County Democrats brings with it a smooth transition of leadership and an understanding of what it takes to win in Republican areas.”