Cranford Board Of Education General Election 2025: Joseph Braxton

NEW JERSEY - The general election season is in full swing in the Garden State and Patch has asked local candidates to share their thoughts before Nov. 4.

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 general election. Contact edward.callahan@patch.com with any questions regarding coverage.

Name: Joseph Braxton

Age: 46

Town of Residence: Cranford, NJ

Position Sought: Cranford Board of Education Member

Party Affiliation: Every Child, Every Person in the Hallway

Family: Wife and four sons

Education: French Culinary Institute Graduate

Occupation: Business Owner

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: None

Why are you seeking office?

Cranford has given my family and I so much, and the best way to honor that is through meaningful service. When the floodwaters destroyed our Riverside home, our neighbors stepped in with compassion and strength.

That moment showed me what this town is made of: heart, faith, and action.

Running for the Board of Education is my way to help cultivate that same spirit, ensuring our children, teachers, and families have what they need to keep growing strong, together.

Service is not trying; it’s work that produces a harvest of good fruit. Real movement is measurable: when we find what works, we keep doing it.

That’s how growth happens.

The Board is currently in the middle of its 2023–2028 Strategic and Action Plan initiatives. What do you feel has been a missed opportunity so far, and what has gone better than anticipated?

The 2023–2028 Strategic and Action Plan represents a real opportunity to align vision with community expectations.

What’s gone better than anticipated is the continued dedication of our teachers, staff, and families despite a shortage of teachers. Their ability to adapt and push forward through change shows Cranford’s strength.

The missed opportunity, however, lies in communication.

While much great work is being done, not enough families feel informed or included in the process. Why is a Hillside education different from an OAS education? Why is the spend on special needs transportation $4.7 million?

Yet we own no buses.

We can’t build trust in silence.

I’d like to see the Board open more doors for conversation, creating space for parents, educators, and students to see themselves reflected in the district’s goals. Transparency and collaboration are the bridges between good ideas and lasting impact.

What’s one opportunity you’d like for students to have within Cranford Public Schools that they don’t have now?

When a parent requests an evaluation for their child, too often they’re asked to pay for it out of pocket. That practice is out of order.

State guidelines make it clear: the financial responsibility belongs to the district, not the families of Cranford students. Yet misinformation persists, often to protect the bottom line.

While campaigning, I’ve heard too many stories of families being told “better” is available, but only for those who can afford it or who hold influence. I’m blessed in this season to meet my children’s needs, but many others cannot and should not have to.

Addressing children’s individualized needs is just as vital as building classrooms for thriving students, dedicated athletes, and creative thinkers. Every child deserves access to the resources that help them grow.

I’d also like to see more hands-on, purpose-driven opportunities for all students: mentorships, skilled trades, internships, and shared spaces like the cafeteria food program that teach teamwork and responsibility. Not every path leads through the same door, but every student deserves one that opens.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I can only speak for myself, and what drives me. I’m not a politician; I’m a servant.

My approach is rooted in faith, transparency, and community, not personal agenda or popularity. I’ve spent my life in service, first as a firefighter and EMT, now as a parent, entrepreneur, and advocate.

Those experiences taught me how to lead under pressure, listen with empathy, and act with integrity.

Where others may talk about change, I believe in building it: one conversation, one collaboration, one student at a time. I don’t represent a slate or a faction; I represent families who believe better is possible when we work together.

At my core, I value action over noise, understanding over appearance, and relationships over recognition. I’m not here to win a title, I’m here to do the work.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I’ve always believed that consistency, teamwork, and service build results that last. I’m a Hall of Fame athlete and a four-year varsity member of both the water polo and swim teams at St. Benedict’s Prep—experiences that taught me discipline, endurance, the true value of a team, and how to lead through humility.

During my 20 years as a firefighter and EMT, I was honored twice as EMT of the Year. That work taught me how to make sound decisions under pressure and to serve others with compassion, clarity, and accountability.

Those lessons have shaped how I approach every challenge—with calm, focus, and faith.

Whether it’s leading a team, running a business, or mentoring youth, I bring that same commitment to preparation, perseverance, and people. The Board of Education deserves leaders who can handle heat, stay level-headed, and keep moving forward, and I’ve spent my life doing just that.

What’s a motto you live your life by?

"Epic days only."

For me, that means showing up every day with intention, faith, and gratitude, no matter the challenge. It’s a reminder to make each day count, to serve others with purpose, and to find something extraordinary in the ordinary.

Every day won’t be easy, but every day can be epic if you choose to lead with heart.

What does it mean to you to represent Cranford?

To represent Cranford as a member of the Board the Education would be the ultimate honor. This town has stood beside my family and I through both the calm and the storm, and that spirit of compassion is what makes Cranford special.

Representing Cranford means being a good steward: listening before leading, choosing unity over division, and ensuring every voice feels heard. It’s about honoring the people who make this town what it is: the neighbors who show up, the teachers who care deeply, and the families who believe in better.

For me, it’s not about position, it’s about purpose. To represent Cranford is to carry its heart forward with humility, service, and faith.

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