Election 2024: Stafford Township Council Candidate Chris DarConte

STAFFORD, NJ — The 2024 general election will likely be a high-turnout year with a presidential race on the ballot, along with candidates for New Jersey's U.S. House and Senate seats. But there will also be local decisions to be made in Stafford Township, with municipal elections on the ballot.

The Stafford Township Council has six seats up for election. Ahead of Election Day on Nov. 5, Patch sent questionnaires to all candidates seeking their responses. Here is the response from Republican candidate Chris DarConte.

Editor's Note: Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses listed for their campaign provided to the office of the clerk. The responses received will be published between now and the Nov. 5 general election. These responses will be published edited only for style. Candidates who would like to participate but did not receive one (for whatever reason) can contact veronica.flesher@patch.com.

Name: Chris DarConte
Age: 48
Town of residence: Stafford Township
Education:
Undergraduate - Bachelor’s of Science majoring in Mathematics with double minors in Computer Science and Business.
Graduate degree - MBA with dual concentrations in Information Systems and Management.
Occupation: Investment Bank Trading Technology strategy, architect, and execution
Industry license: FINRA Series 99

What drove you to seek public office?
As a quick intro, I live in Beach Haven West with my wife, 2 children, and an Australian Shepherd named Lovey. My immediate and extended family are in our school system, I previously coached rec basketball, I’m a member of the BHW Civic Association, a licensed local NJ Realtor out of Ship Bottom, and I currently sit on our Township Zoning Board of Adjustment.

As a Council candidate, I’m looking to apply my professional expertise in leading large complex organizations and budgets to drive a fiscally conservative governing body that keeps Stafford affordable while focusing on Safety, Service, and Stability.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?
My professional experience is what sets me apart from the other candidates. I have 26 years of Financial Services experience including 15 years Investment Banking & 5 years Private Banking. I have decades of experience managing large budgets and negotiating complex vendor contracts.

What is the most pressing issue facing Stafford?
The population growth of Stafford Township is a testament to how great a place this is to live, raise a family, and retire. However, it also presents a challenge of managing growth in a long term cost-conscious manner from a municipal perspective while ensuring we maintain the level of services already offered today. As part of the governing body I would maintain the focus on grant-based project spending while investing wisely (and selectively) in projects that avoid town decay and long term fiscal instability.

How do you plan to keep taxes low while still maintaining services for Stafford?
The key to keeping taxes low and affordable is to ensure that the municipal operating costs of the town grow at a slower rate than the growth of the town itself. In 2024 the tax levy increased at about 1% while the total assessed property valuation grew at over 3% based on new construction and other factors. My goal is to exploit operating efficiencies across the town to reduce levy growth while providing the same level of amazing service that Stafford has today.

In your opinion, what is the best part of living in Stafford?
It’s impossible to pick any single aspect of our town and label it the “best part”. Stafford has amazing recreation including its various fields and courts, a huge waterfront that offers boating/ fishing/ clamming/ swimming/ etc opportunities, and amazing services as already noted. As hockey player though, I’ll admit I absolutely love the hockey rinks at the Doc Cramer Sports Complex where I play in the Sunday night league.