Bridgewater General Election 2025: Filipe Pedroso

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater's general election on Nov. 4 has six candidates running for seats on the Township Council.

Republican Filipe Pedroso is running for one of three, three-year open seats on the Township Council, along with Megan Moench and incumbent Allen Kurdyla.

Democrats Ridwana Isla, Andrew Bucko and Joan Geiger are running on the Democratic ticket.

Are you running for office in Bridgewater? Contact Alexis Tarrazi at alexis.tarrazi@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Bridgewater Patch.

Filipe Pedroso

Age: 55

Town of residence: Bridgewater

Position sought: Re-election to Township Council

Party affiliation: Republican

Family: Married to Liana Pedroso with 4 children, Sophia (22), Julia (20), Alina (8) and Nikolas (7)

Education: J.D., Law Degree, Seton Hall University School of Law; B.S., Biochemistry, Rutgers University (Cook College), NB.

Occupation: Attorney, Entrepreneur, Inventor and Councilman

Previous or current elected appointed office: Appointed to Council to fill unexpired term. Elected in 2012 and re-elected in 2013, 2017 and 2021. Zoning Board of Adjustment, Vice Chairman, 2003 to 2012.

Campaign website: https://BWTNJ.com

Why are you seeking re-election as a Councilmember in Bridgewater?

I’m seeking re-election because protecting Bridgewater’s quality of life, keeping our community safe, and keeping taxes under control have always been my guiding principles — from the day I first entered public service to today. Simply, I want to keep Bridgewater the amazing place it is to live, work and play.

For nearly fourteen years on the Township Council — and a decade before that on the Zoning Board — I’ve stood firm against overdevelopment, fought to preserve our town’s character, and worked to keep Bridgewater the safe, family-oriented community we all love.

As the founder of Preserve Bridgewater, the grassroots movement that helped stop the massive Center of Excellence overdevelopment, I’ve proven that I’ll always put Bridgewater and its residents first — no matter the pressure, no matter the politics.

I bring a fiscally conservative approach to local government — one that keeps taxes low, eliminates waste, and ensures that our residents’ hard-earned money stays where it belongs: in their pockets.

I’ve consistently voted against unnecessary tax hikes and have focused on maintaining a lean, efficient budget that funds only essential services like public safety, infrastructure, and community upkeep.

Bridgewater is my lifelong home. I’ve lived here for 47 years, raised my family here, and dedicated much of my life to serving and strengthening this community — through volunteer service, leadership, and public office.

My record is clear: I have always put Bridgewater first. And I’m running for re-election to continue doing just that — protecting our quality of life, keeping taxes low, supporting our police, and preserving the character of the community that makes Bridgewater such an extraordinary place to live.

The Council recently approved its fourth-round affordable housing plan that includes 421 housing units. What do you think of this plan?

State Democrats call it “Affordable Housing,” but let’s be honest — what it really means is subsidized high-density housing. I have serious concerns about these state-mandated housing quotas and the way Trenton Democrat politicians and activist courts are forcing them onto towns like Bridgewater. These top-down mandates threaten to overwhelm our roads, overcrowd our schools, strain our infrastructure, and ultimately change the very character of our community.

The state’s current system is fundamentally flawed. For every so-called “affordable” unit required, developers often demand to build eight to ten market-rate apartments. The result? Hundreds of new apartments — and a massive burden on local taxpayers, roads, schools and our quality of life. That’s simply not sustainable for Bridgewater.

That’s why I’ve proposed that we consider a smarter, more proactive approach. Bridgewater should look into whether it is feasible to build and manage our own affordable units, meeting state obligations on our own terms — without handing developers a blank check to overbuild. This approach would not only preserve our small-town character but could even generate millions in revenue for taxpayers through market-rate sales.

My commitment remains clear: I will always pursue creative, fiscally responsible solutions that protect taxpayers, safeguard neighborhoods, and keep Bridgewater’s quality of life front and center.

The Council approved a budget in June with a 1.077 percent increase over last year. How do you feel about the Township's handling of the budget?

My philosophy is simple: Taxation should meet the precise needs of the budget — not a penny more.

When it comes to Bridgewater’s finances, I’ve always brought a fiscally conservative approach. The less money government takes from families in taxes, the more stays where it belongs — in their pockets. For nearly 14 years on the Township Council, I’ve consistently fought for leaner budgets, lower taxes, and smarter spending. When unnecessary tax hikes were proposed, I voted no — every time. My record is unmatched when it comes to standing up for Bridgewater taxpayers

Residents deserve a government that’s efficient, disciplined, and focused on the essentials — public safety, core services, and well-maintained infrastructure. That’s exactly how I’ve governed, and how I’ll continue to serve: By keeping government lean, spending responsible, and taxes under control.

The Camp Cromwell property has been a topic of discussion for years. How do you feel about the Council's handling and plan for the property?

Camp Cromwell is an extremely valuable open-space asset for Bridgewater, and any plan for its future must reflect the community’s voice and preserve the property’s natural character. I believe the Township’s development of Camp Cromwell should always be transparent and involve public input.

My view is that Camp Cromwell should remain a true community resource — a place that enhances recreation, protects open space, and serves the public good. We have an opportunity to make it something truly special for Bridgewater’s families and future generations, but that requires careful planning and meaningful resident engagement every step of the way.

During my years on the Township Council, Bridgewater has secured hundreds of acres of open space, protecting our community’s character and quality of life. Strategic, well-planned acquisitions like these safeguard our communities’ character, protect our quality of life, and help make Bridgewater such a wonderful place to live.

I’ll continue to advocate for an open, responsible approach that protects taxpayers, preserves the character of the surrounding neighborhood, and ensures Camp Cromwell remains an asset for all of Bridgewater.

What other issues do you feel need to be tackled in the Township?

The bedrock of my policies has always been clear: Standing firmly against overdevelopment, advocating for a lean and efficient government that controls spending and limits taxation, ensuring our police have the resources they need to keep our community safe, and protecting Bridgewater’s exceptional quality of life.

For 10 years on the Zoning Board of Adjustment and nearly fourteen years on the Township Council, I have consistently opposed overdevelopment. My record is clear: I have always voted no on projects that would overwhelm our neighborhoods with excessive zoning changes or massive apartment complexes.

When the previous mayor pushed the largest overdevelopment proposal in Bridgewater’s history — the so-called “Center of Excellence” — I helped lead the fight to stop it. I founded Preserve Bridgewater, a grassroots movement that grew to hundreds of residents united to defend our town’s character. Together, we stopped that disastrous project and helped usher in new leadership for Bridgewater.

But the fight against overdevelopment never ends. There is constant pressure — from developers, special interests, and sometimes even political insiders — to approve projects that simply don’t fit our community. As the saying goes, elections have consequences. Having the right people on the governing body — people willing to stand up for what’s right, no matter the cost — is absolutely essential.

At the same time, we must continue to invest wisely in our infrastructure: repairing roads, improving drainage, and maintaining public facilities — without burdening taxpayers.

I’ll also keep supporting our police department, ensuring officers have the tools, training, and staffing they need to keep Bridgewater safe. Protecting our families, children, and neighborhoods will always be a top priority.

And as we look to the future, Bridgewater should embrace smart innovation — using technology to make local government more efficient, responsive, and cost-effective.

In short, my focus remains unwavering:

• Protecting Bridgewater’s quality of life through vigilance against overdevelopment;
• Keeping our community safe by fully supporting law enforcement;
• Safeguarding taxpayers’ dollars by maintaining essential services without bloated budgets or unnecessary tax increases; and
• Pursuing practical, forward-looking solutions that strengthen Bridgewater’s foundation and preserve the character of the town we all love.

What sets you apart from the challenging candidates?

I’ve served nearly 14 years on the Township Council and 10 years on the Zoning Board, consistently standing against overdevelopment and protecting Bridgewater’s character. I bring a long history of fiscally responsible governance, always advocating for low taxes while ensuring essential services — like public safety — remain strong. My proven voting records confirms that I have always looked out for the taxpayer by voting against excessive taxation.

When it comes to protecting our quality of life, again, my voting record speaks for itself. Over 24 years, I have consistently voted against overdevelopment, and prioritized the interests of Bridgewater residents. Even when my own political party supported the massive Center of Excellence overdevelopment project, I stood firm, and launched a grassroots movement that successfully stopped the overdevelopment. This proven track record of placing Bridgewater and its residents first is something that clearly sets me apart from the challenging candidates.

I also bring a unique combination of professional and community experience — from serving on boards like the animal shelter and open space committee, to founding technology companies and holding patents. This background gives me a solutions-driven mindset, allowing me to tackle challenges creatively while keeping residents’ interests front and center.

Simply put, I don’t just talk about protecting Bridgewater and its residents’ pocketbooks, safety, and quality of life — my record proves I deliver results.

Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your campaign?

I’ve been fortunate to call Bridgewater home for 47 years. Over that time, I’ve lived at eight different addresses and attended three different Bridgewater schools. Experiencing so many parts of our town has given me a unique perspective — from the character of each neighborhood to the qualities that make Bridgewater truly special.

This is where I’ve raised my family, and it’s where I hope to pass on to the next generation the same sense of community and quality of life that I’ve been privileged to enjoy.

My commitment to Bridgewater runs deep. I served six years with the Finderne Rescue Squad, earning the rank of Second Lieutenant. I spent ten years volunteering on the Zoning Board of Adjustment, ultimately becoming Vice Chairman. When the animal shelter faced financial hardship, I joined its Board of Directors, became Chairman, and helped turn deficits into hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings. I’ve also served on the Township’s Open Space Committee, the Somerset County Regional Center Partnership, and today, as Executive Director and President of the nonpartisan Somerset County Governing Officials Association, I am leading a major revitalization effort.
Professionally, I’m an attorney honored with numerous awards. One recognition I cherish most is being the only attorney ever to receive Kean University’s Outstanding Service Award for Service to the Global African Community.

I also bring an innovative approach to leadership. As the inventor of social e-commerce, the holder of domestic and international patents, and the founder of several technology companies, I bring a solutions-driven mindset and practical innovation to every challenge.

Bridgewater is more than my home — it’s my lifelong community. I have lived it, served it, and fought for it. And I remain unwaveringly committed to protecting its character, strengthening its foundation, and ensuring that Bridgewater remains the safe, vibrant, and thriving community we all cherish — for today, and for generations to come.