Write-In Candidate Delia Hamlet To Run For Summit City Council

SUMMIT, NJ — Delia Hamlet, a write-in Republican candidate, announced Friday that she will be running for the Ward 1 seat on Summit's City Council.

The Summit Republican City Committee nominated Hamlet to run for the council, and she accepted. According to the Republican Committee, Hamlet is an active community volunteer, as well as a business owner and United States Army Veteran who was written-in on the June 7 Primary ballot.

“I am honored that my fellow Summit residents have put their faith in me to address the serious issues facing our community," Hamlet said in a statement. "While it was not my original intention to run for office, I’m ready to serve as I have for my entire life."

"I love our city and I’ll spend the next four months hearing the concerns of our neighbors and working to earn their vote," Hamlet added.

Hamlet will compete with Democratic incumbent Danny O'Sullivan for the Ward 1 seat on Summit's council. Read more about O'Sullivan here: Summit Common Council Candidate Profile: Danny O'Sullivan

She said her top priority is fighting the "proposed overdevelopment" that she believes will "dramatically increase traffic" on Summit's "already-strained infrastructure."

Hamlet is referring to the proposed Broad Street West redevelopment plan that many residents have expressed grievances about in the last several months.

Read more: Summit Residents Protest Broad St. West Design Ahead Of 6-Hour Meeting

Hamlet also said she will continue to work with the residents of Summit for the resources needed to make the city safer and "pledge to be a check and balance on the city budget."

Chairman of the Summit Republican City Committee Nick Curiale applauded the newly announced candidate.

“We are thrilled that Delia has accepted this call from our community to run for Summit City Council," Curiale said. "As a business owner, Army Veteran and mother to school age children she understands our concerns and the needs of our residents."

“Delia is the perfect candidate who brings unique experience in business, security and service, which is especially important during these challenging times to ensure responsible decisions are made that puts Summit residents first," Curiale concluded.

Hamlet joined the ROTC at her alma-mater, the University of Pittsburgh. Upon graduation, she was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps and was stationed at Fort Eustis, Virginia.

After a brief training deployment in Korea, Hamlet volunteered for deployment in Camp Doha, Kuwait in 2001. She was responsible for the health, safety and welfare of two Logistical Support Vessels in Kuwait. She was deployed in Kuwait on Sept. 11, 2001 and was in charge of leading her soldiers and warrant officers through Operation Enduring Freedom.

Hamlet later served as an Executive Officer for the 155th Transportation Company in Fort Eustis.

Hamlet's Military Awards include: Defense Meritorious Service Medal/Joint Service Commendation Medal/Army Commendation Medal/Army Achievement Medal/National Defense Service Medal/Global War on Terrorism Medal/Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal/Army Service Ribbon/Parachutist Badge.

According to the Republican Committee, Hamlet has lived in Summit for over 10 years where she is an active member of the community and a mother of three children who all attend the Summit Public Schools system.

She was previously on the board of the Centra Presbyterian Nursery School Board and has volunteered her time at the Lincoln Hubbard PTO.

Most recently, Hamlet raised over $200,000 for Canoe Brook Country Club employees in need during the pandemic.

In addition, Delia is a partner and Chief Operating Officer at the Fort Athletic Club in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey where she is responsible for all operational aspects of the 50,000 square foot fitness facility — including sales, marketing, personal training and group fitness.

Hamlet will appear on the ballot for the New Jersey General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

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