Summit City Council General Election 2025: Dan Crisafulli

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: Dan Crisafulli

Age: 60

Town of residence: Summit

Position sought: Summit Common Councilman, At Large

Party affiliation: Democratic

Family: Husband of 27 years, Greg Vargas; Caroline, Daughter

Education: Dartmouth College and Harvard University

Occupation: Sustainable investing professional

Previous or current elected or appointed office: First-time candidate

Why are you seeking office?

Summit is an amazing town that has done so much for my family. My family and I arrived in Summit nearly nine years ago, drawn by the excellent public schools, public safety, and walkable downtown.

In my first campaign for public office, I want to ensure that Summit continues to be a vibrant, welcoming, and forward-thinking community. In a time of rising taxes and costs, and rising divisions in our community, I want a government that listens, plans ahead, and delivers real results for residents of all backgrounds.

What additional measures would you suggest to build on what Summit Police have rolled out regarding safety on electronic bikes and scooters?

We need an all-hands-on-deck, coordinated approach to e-bike and scooter safety involving the police, schools, and kid-oriented programs. Officer Kotiga has conducted educational sessions at Summit’s schools, part of a larger awareness-raising campaign that I support and would work to extend.

Younger kids should not be allowed to ride. We parents also need to send a clear message to our kids to keep them safe.

If you were to start your own Summit board or commission, what would it be for and why?

We recently lost my dear mom, who spent her final years living with us at our home in Summit. She benefited from the great services available to seniors, but there definitely were some gaps.

I’ve met many seniors who need help in accessing services and face social isolation. As councilman, I will convene a working group of leading nonprofits and agencies to identify gaps in service and explore ways to help seniors lead more connected and vibrant lives as they age at home.

What issues would you want to address, or areas would you want to highlight?

My top priorities are protecting Summit’s schools, holding the line on tax and spending increases, and enhancing public safety. I want to protect what makes Summit work, and make it work for everyone.

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

My opponent and I agree on many things, including public safety, but we have very different approaches to taxing and spending. City spending increased 16% in the past two years, and the capital budget is up 145%, with expanded headcount at city hall and shiny projects like paddle tennis courts.

Taxes are up by $500 per home on average, but many homeowners have faced far higher tax increases.

While supporting these increases, my opponent voted for deep cuts to school programs, including canceling summer school and the PSAT test, firing the mental health clinician, technology coaches, and teaching assistants for English learners and kids with disabilities: over 30 positions in total.

Playgrounds and sidewalk projects that had funding from the previous mayor have not moved forward.

Schools, pedestrian safety, and playgrounds support our property values as well as our kids. I will work to hold the line on tax increases while supporting what is fundamental to Summit.

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

I was born and raised in small-town Pennsylvania. My parents were public school teachers and small business owners.

I was fortunate to earn scholarships to Dartmouth and Harvard, and I’ve built a career in sustainable finance. Earlier in my career, I worked as a policy advisor to governments in some tough places around the world.

I’m a mentor to student entrepreneurs and serve on the Summit Environmental Commission, where I work to make our town more green and sustainable. These experiences have given me a broad and long-term perspective on the challenges facing our community.

I will bring the steady, informed leadership that Summit needs.

What's a motto you live your life by?

Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.

What does it mean to you to represent Summit?

The best part of getting involved in our community has been meeting so many caring and engaged neighbors of all political stripes. They have deepened my appreciation of the spirit that drives Summit forward, embodied in the unpaid volunteers that support our nonprofit service organizations and serve on official City boards.

I’ve been fortunate to get to know more of the volunteers who make Summit so special. Their dedication is an inspiration that drives me forward.

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