Election 2024: Stafford Township Mayor Robert Henken

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.

Stafford will be electing a mayor this year. Ahead of Election Day on Nov. 5, Patch sent questionnaires to all candidates seeking their responses. Here is the response from Republican candidate and current Mayor Robert Henken.

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: Robert (Bob) Henken
Age: 53
Town of Residence: Manahawkin
Education: Computer Science, Morehead State University 1992
Occupation: 16 Years Admissions Representative for a Technical college focusing on Auto,
Diesel, Collision Repair and Welding

What drove you to seek public office?
I wanted to do my part in preserving everything my wife and I loved about Stafford Township while raising our four children here. I felt I had things to offer and I still do.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?
Experience. I started my first term as a Councilman in 2019 and now I have been chosen to be the interim Mayor by my peers to serve the remainder of former Mayor Greg Myhre’s term. It has been an incredible learning experience, as well as humbling experience, being part of something larger than yourself for the last 5 years doing what is best for the residents of Stafford. Taking the reins, while challenging, is exciting- especially with the great people I am surrounded with both along side of me on the dais and in townhall.

What is the most pressing issue facing Stafford?
Over the past decade the town has been growing at a quick pace. Being able to maintain the infrastructure to our growing community is critical and our focus. Additions to our police, fire, EMS, DPW and water/sewer has of course helped, but we cannot stop there. We will continue to focus on the needs of our residents while also doing everything we can to maintain stable taxes

How do you plan to keep taxes low while still maintaining services for Stafford?
Since being elected, we have been focused on our grant application process. Currently, almost half of our debt is funded through our grant programs. Not a lot of towns can say that. Some of our grants that have been awarded include various sustainability and resiliency grants to benefit the fragile marine ecosystem. The Neptune basin expansion project grant, the library grant, various recreational grants, and grants to provide our police the tools they need to keep the town safe just to name a few. We have managed to do much while lowering the tax rate this year. Not many towns can say that in this environment of high inflation.

In your opinion, what is the best part of living in Stafford?
Everything. Stafford Township is unique. Our residents are hardworking honest folk who come together in a crisis. We have so many amenities yet we haven’t lost our small-town appeal. It’s an honor to represent this town. My only desire is to leave Stafford better than I found it, if that’s even possible because it’s pretty great as it is right now.