A Positive Vision for Bridgewater-Raritan Education

In recent years, local Board of Education elections have been marred by negative social media campaigning of partisan nature, targeting candidates outside their preferred party. Such participation include, for example, from a former party chair, and from a prolific writer of “letters to the editor” and social media posts who routinely comment negatively only on those outside his preferred party. We need to be mindful that misinformation and even hate can spread easily through social media.

In 2020 and 2021, certain candidates were targeted solely for being endorsed by the mayor, as if that’s a serious flaw of the candidates. Continued similar negative narrative through 2022 and 2023. In 2024, further continuation of it and additional arguments emerged to vilify campaign fundraising. Bridgewater is a large town where meaningful voter outreach requires resources. Campaign financing is highly regulated to be transparent; fundraising is a normal practice of liberty and democracy.

In 2025, the same have continued. The misinformation, untrue and divisive labels deepens fear and division. Fortunately, amid this negativity, there is bright light.

Incumbent BOE member Lucy Li has exemplified professionalism, patience, and compassion throughout her service on the board, focusing on students, families, and educational excellence, not politics. She has shown effective board membership and competence, with active and thoughtful engagement, and commitment and results in sound educational policy work. When encountered with negative social media campaigns targeting her, she calmly addressed certain misinformation with facts, empathy, and professionalism, while rising above the negativity.

For reelection, instead of seeing fellow candidates as rivals, Lucy Li is working independently yet collaboratively, joined by Dr. Ketrin Maxwell, a highly accomplished and respected mental health professional, and Deanna Nye, a passionate advocate for special education. These expertise will strengthen the BOE’s ability to serve all students—academically, socially, and emotionally. The collective vision, as they stated, is one of educational excellence for every student, respect for parents, transparency in governance, and accountability to taxpayers. This is not a political agenda, but a positive, unifying, bright future Bridgewater can look forward to.

Bridgewater deserves elections focused on ideas, qualification and integrity, elections where candidates are treated with welcome and respect, appreciated for stepping up to serve this great community.

Vote for Lucy Li, Ketrin Maxwell, and Deanna Nye—candidates with vision, character, expertise, and commitment to education excellence and our community. Vote Column D for a stronger future for Bridgewater-Raritan education.