Election 2022: Jonathan Maciel Penney, Red Bank Borough Council

RED BANK, NJ — Republican Jonathan Maciel Penney is one of four candidates seeking two full-term seats on the Red Bank Borough Council in the Nov. 8 general election.

In these profiles, candidates provide voters with background about themselves and their positions on the issues. Patch will publish individual profiles leading to the election.

In Red Bank, voters also be asked to decide on a referendum to change Red Bank's government to a nonpartisan, Council/Manager form.

Penney said the first priority of his campaign is passage of the referendum as a way to alleviate partisan politics on the Borough Council. He also wants to make the government more inclusive and diverse, he said, noting his Chicano heritage.

Read more from candidate Jonathan Maciel Penney:

Name: Jonathan Maciel Penney

Age: 38

Town of residence: Red Bank

Position sought: Borough Council

Are you an incumbent or previous governing member? No

Party affiliation: Republican

Family: I have a lovely wife, Liza Penney, and a new rescue dog named Eddie

Education: I have B.A. from Northeastern University and a J.D. from Ave Maria School of Law, Fla.

Occupation: In-house counsel for a major insurance company

Name the top issues currently facing your town and how you plan to address them:

• For me, the number one issue is passing the charter review ballot question. The primary reason why I’m running to assist getting the word out to “Vote Yes” on Question 1. I look forward to working with anyone and everyone who wants to “Vote Yes” on Question 1.
• Secondly, I want Red Bank to be the best place possible to live. Red Bank is unique in that it has all the issues of a suburban town and a city all rolled into one. We need a government that is more transparent and open about the decisions it is making. I want Borough Council meetings to be an open and welcoming forum for all residents to be able to voice their concerns - in any language - rather than merely a cold and hidden place where key decisions are made out of sight and mind.
• Lastly, I would like to make government in Red Bank more inclusive and more diverse. I think the council under Ed Zipprich’s leadership (Note: Councilman Zipprich is the former Democratic party chairperson) has unfortunately become more insular and isolated from the concerns of the regular Red Bank resident, while he settled political scores in an attempt to maintain power. We need to get more people involved. I think passing the charter review will go a long way towards bringing a more diverse group of good people into Red Bank politics.

Identify one or more specific goals or ideas you have to enhance life in your town:

My primary goal is to assist in creating a new more productive, nonpartisan culture of government here in Red Bank. We need to pass the charter review question first and foremost. Once that happens, people will be more free to focus on issues rather than party affiliation. The time for partisanship is over in Red Bank. Now is the time for leaders who are willing to work with anyone and everyone willing to help make Red Bank a better place to live for its residents.

What in your experience or background prepares you for election to office:

As an attorney of 11 years, I believe I have the requisite professional knowledge to handle the duties of being a member of council. I know what it’s like to work hard on complex issues. I also understand what it is to fight for people of all walks of life and represent them with a voice they may otherwise not have had. That’s what I’m most looking forward to as a member of council.

But on a more personal level, I believe that as someone who grew up a dual-citizen with a multicultural background, I can bring a unique perspective to the Borough Council it has long lacked. I believe my Chicano heritage can serve well the diverse tapestry of residents we have in Red Bank.

Candidates for Red Bank Mayor and Borough Council:

Mayor (Full Term, Vote for One)

• William J. Portman (Democrat)
• No Nomination Made for the Republican party

Borough Council (Full Term, Vote for Two)

• Mark D. Taylor (Republican)
• Jonathan Penney (Republican)
• Angela Mirandi (Democrat)
• John L. Jackson (Democrat)