Hillsborough Township Committee General Election 2025: Jill Gomez

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough's general election on Nov. 4 has two candidates running for seats on the Township Council.

Democratic newcomer Jill Gomez is running for election against Republican incumbent John Ciccarelli, the current Mayor, for the only three-year open seat on the Township Committee.

Are you running for office in Hillsborough? 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.

Jill Gomez

Age: 38

Town of residence: Hillsborough, NJ

Position sought: Hillsborough Township Committee

Party affiliation: Democrat

Family: Jill and her husband, James, grew up in Hillsborough and graduated together from Hillsborough High School in 2005. They have a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter and a large extended family still living in town.

Education: Jill graduated from Rutgers University in 2009 with Magna Cum Laude Honors. She double majored in Cultural Anthropology and Geography and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

Occupation: Jill is the Group Fitness Coordinator at Hillsborough’s Pinnacle Health and Fitness, managing a large team of passionate wellness professionals. In this role, she oversees class programming, staff management, and community outreach initiatives, collaborating with local organizations and businesses to promote health, wellness, and active living throughout the community.

Previous or current elected appointed office: Jill currently serves as the Democratic District Committee person for Hillsborough District 35.

Campaign website: JillforHillsborough.com

Why are you seeking election to the Hillsborough Township Committee?

I am running because Hillsborough deserves leadership that listens, plans responsibly, and protects the character and affordability of our town. My husband, James, and I both grew up in Hillsborough, and we’ve seen firsthand how poorly planned public policies have hurt our friends, neighbors, and the overall quality of life here.

Over the past several months, I’ve knocked on nearly 2,000 doors across Hillsborough, speaking directly with my neighbors about the challenges our town faces. The top responses almost always come down to affordability. In just 3 years, the Township Committee has raised property taxes by 37% to fund an increase of $7.5 million in the municipal budget, and increased the town’s debt service by over 300%. Most recently, they have voted to raise building permit fees despite bipartisan opposition and the department’s six-figure surplus in 2024.

I will be a strong voice for responsible budgeting, debt reduction, and restoring financial discipline. My focus will be on expanding shared services, partnering with state and county officials to bring additional resources into our community, and reducing our tax burden by creating incentives for small businesses to open and thrive in Hillsborough.

The Committee recently approved its fourth-round affordable housing plan that includes 223 housing units. What do you think of this plan?

Hillsborough’s affordable housing plan is currently being challenged in court, incurring extensive legal fees for our Township, placing a significant burden on taxpayers.

For decades, our Committee has taken a reactive rather than proactive approach to affordable housing, spending large sums of taxpayers’ money on unsuccessful court battles. This has forced the town to consider unfavorable housing plans and has resulted in more lawsuits from developers.

We need to shift toward proactive, proper planning and collaboration with the County and State to ensure that affordable housing obligations are met in ways that strengthen, rather than strain, our community. Proper coordination and zoning foresight will help Hillsborough guide development on its own terms, therefore, protecting our open space while meeting state requirements responsibly.

Housing costs in Hillsborough have been drastically rising for a long time. While this may benefit those selling their homes, it has made living here increasingly unaffordable for taxpaying families, seniors, and first-time buyers. As a welcoming community, Hillsborough should provide housing options for people of diverse income levels, including our teachers and law enforcement officers. With thoughtful planning, we can ensure the long-term health and vitality of our township.

The Committee approved a $40.1 million budget with a 0.008 municipal tax rate increase over last year. How do you feel about the Township's handling of the budget?

The Township’s budget process lacks transparency and is almost entirely conducted in private meetings. This year, the budget was presented to the public in a large, complex 90-page document, offering limited opportunities for residents to engage. While a $.008 tax rate increase may sound minimal, when combined with our rising property values, it translates into the average homeowner paying hundreds of dollars more.

While the Township Committee fulfills the legally required public hearings, it could do much more to involve residents. Other municipalities host open budget working sessions, send out surveys on key issues, and provide more opportunities for public participation. If Hillsborough could adopt these same practices, this would enable residents to fully understand how their tax dollars are being spent, allowing them to express their own views before the budget is finalized.

The budget increases and rising debt are setting our town and taxpayers up for failure. As a Committee Member, I will advocate for a comprehensive review of the budget process, prioritizing transparency, fiscal discipline, and innovative approaches to continue delivering our excellent services while reducing the financial burden on our residents.

The Route 206 widening project has continued for years. How do you feel about the Committee's actions toward the NJDOT to speed up the project?

The Township Committee is avoiding accountability for the mismanagement of the Route 206 project. They are on record as advocating for retaining the original contractor that caused dangerous and substandard work along our roadway. This resulted in significant delays to the project and increased costs. Instead of working collaboratively with elected state and county officials to expedite the project’s completion, Hillsborough’s current leadership has been placing blame on others. Unfortunately, this doesn’t actually help the people of Hillsborough who face ongoing safety issues, congestion, and construction delays.

As a member of the Township Committee, I would prioritize coordination across all levels of government, ensuring accountability from contractors and transparency with residents so we can finally bring Route 206 to a safe and timely completion.

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

Beyond the clear need to address affordability in Hillsborough, I am passionate about creating a comprehensive town plan to ensure we make smarter, sustainable decisions that promote more walkability, bike lanes, and a long-term vision for a quaint, community-focused town center. Our current master plan, as it stands, is not viable. It relies on an ad-hoc approach that allows developers to build in unfavorable places, negatively impacting our neighborhoods. We must be proactive in our approach to planning and zoning so that we can create a Hillsborough that is more enjoyable for all.

What sets you apart from the challenging candidates?

What sets me apart is my longtime connection to Hillsborough and my commitment to putting residents, not politics, first. My husband and I both grew up in town and have a deep history and understanding of what makes Hillsborough a great place to live.

I am a strong advocate for environmental protection and public health, and I’ve consistently dedicated my time to service, both here in Hillsborough and beyond. From volunteering locally to rebuilding homes in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, I’ve always been driven by a commitment to help others.

I will bring a fresh, solutions-oriented perspective to the Township Committee, one focused on affordability, community, open space, and long-term planning that ensures a future in Hillsborough that residents can continue to enjoy for decades to come.

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

I’m running for Hillsborough Township Committee to serve my neighbors, the families I’ve known and loved for most of my life. I will represent all residents fairly, regardless of political affiliation, income level, or whether they voted for me or not.

At a time when divisiveness and tension are growing across our country, Hillsborough needs leadership that values unity, collaboration, and respect. And as the cost of living continues to rise, we need leaders committed to smart, responsible budgeting that keeps our town affordable.

My goal is simple: to make Hillsborough a safe, affordable, and thriving community for children, families, seniors, and everyone in between.