Howell Mayoral Election 2024: John Hughes

HOWELL, NJ — Patch is again publishing profiles of local candidates in the 2024 election, set for Tuesday, Nov. 5.

In Howell Township, the mayor and one council seat are up for election.

There are two candidates seeking to succeed Theresa Berger as mayor. John Leggio is the Republican candidate running on the No Strings Attached slogan, after winning a three-way primary in June. John Hughes is the Democratic candidate.

There is one seat open on the Township Council. Incumbent Evelyn Malsbury O'Donnell, a Republican, is seeking re-election to the four-year seat. Rebecca Scott is the Democratic candidate, and Betty L. Velez-Gimbel, running on the Vision With Action slogan, is an independent.

The candidates received the same questions. Here is the response from John Hughes.

Name: John Hughes

Age: 49

Family: Married with 4 children (2 still in Howell High School) and 3 grandchildren.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Montclair State University and a Law Degree from Rutgers University School of Law

Occupation: Director of Corporate Compliance and Ethics

Any previous elected office or appointments in local government? No.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for. None.

Why are you running for office? I grew up in a town, Egg Harbor Township in Atlantic County, that was very similar to Howell and I witnessed firsthand how the mismanagement and overdevelopment changed that community and I think Howell is on the same path. I know I can help lead us away from the brink of disaster and help focus our community on smart development that in areas where existing infrastructure can support the growth. Our Council fails to work with the developers and business leaders to find ways to meet town goals and I want to change that through builder concessions to support community needs.

What do you see as the biggest issue facing Howell Township right now and how would you address it?

Taxes. Every voter raises this first and I see a lot of waste in our government spending causing the taxes to be raised by the Republican-controlled Council that needs to be rooted out and changed. Currently 10 firms working for the town are Republican donors whose contracts are voted on and approved by the Republicans on the Council and that has to change. Reintroduction of a local Ethics Code and Municipal Ethics Board is a first step.

We also need to get a handle on the overdevelopment of the town with million-dollar homes going up on tiny lots like Monmouth Manor and warehouses being built in residential areas causing excessive commercial traffic on our local roads. We need to fix the master plan immediately and every new development needs builder concessions. Residential developers need to be setting aside a higher percentage of affordable homes and commercial developers must be limited in the amount of property that can be cleared and have mandatory renewable energy installed to offset the strain on our antiquated power grid.

Name one thing about Howell Township that always makes you smile.

The people. Driving anywhere in town you will see Howell bumper stickers for youth sports teams or the schools. Our residents love this town and living in a community like that is special.