Summit City Council Ward 2 General Election 2025: Tom Szieber

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: Tom Szieber

Age: 38

Town of residence: Summit

Position sought: Councilmember, Summit Common Council, Ward 2

Party affiliation: Republican

Family: Married to my wife, Brittany

Education: B.A. in Communication Studies, Montclair State University; J.D., Rutgers School of Law, LL.M. in Taxation, Boston University

Occupation: Attorney

Previous or current elected or appointed office: None

Why are you seeking office?

I am seeking office because I care about our community. Under our former Council majority, Summit saw rising crime, overdevelopment, and a local government that simply did not listen to them.

I want to serve to ensure that Summit is a safe and responsibly developed City with a transparent local government.

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

To me, an e-bike is to a moped what Teslas are to traditional gas-powered cars. These bikes undoubtedly need greater regulation.

Locally, we should create a robust and comprehensive awareness campaign to ensure that youth and adults alike understand the dangers they present and encourage the use of helmets, lights, and reflective gear.

Some form of registration and/or licensing should be required to operate them, as well.

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

I'd love to create a board that fosters youth engagement and enhances the voice our youth and young parents have in the City's policymaking. Young residents are always on the cutting edge of technology and sustainability and a board that engages them in a larger way would provide them a means to learn civic leadership and shape our future in an impactful way.

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

First and foremost, I would want to ensure that crime does not begin to rise again in town. Crime prevention and public safety (including traffic and pedestrian safety) will always be paramount to other issues.

I want to continue balancing the City's obligation to meet its affordable housing requirement with the community's desire that Summit retain its suburban character. I would like to see our City increase its investment in infrastructure (particularly with respect to stormwater management) and get the installation of lights at Tatlock Field over the finish line, so that our youth have a safe and equitable field space that will help get them off their screens.

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

Rather than giving repeated non-answers about policy positions in order to create distance from the record of the former Council majority that leads her party, I have offered concrete stances on my positions on crime and public safety, overdevelopment, and Tatlock lights.

Instead of being the successor to the team that tried to jam Broad Street West down the community's collective throat, I've worked alongside the Together for Summit team that has accomplished a reduction in crime, resisted oversized development, and invested in our youth.

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

In my roles as an attorney and part-time freelance journalist, I have developed effective communication skills, the ability to collaborate in a team environment, an understanding of how to manage a budget, and the ability to think critically.

The compassionate relationship-building abilities I have cultivated in ventures like my service on the board of directors of a New Jersey mental health non-profit organization allow me to work effectively with individuals and families of all backgrounds.

What's a motto you live your life by?

For me, it's "neighbors over politics."

I grew up in a large New Jersey city with a non-partisan local government. I don't believe in playing politics and dividing a local community for political gain, nor do I believe in engaging in food fighting on social media over national political issues.

I am running to make a positive difference in my community, and I'll never concern myself with what party a constituent of mine belongs to.

What does it mean to you to represent Summit?

It means that I have a real opportunity to impact the lives of my neighbors for the better. Representing Summit would, of course, mean that I was elected, which in turn means that my neighbors have demonstrated confidence in my ability to advocate for them.

That is a major honor and responsibility and, if elected, I will make sure I deliver for them.

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