Westfield Mayor General Election 2025: Michal Domogala

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. Questions can be directed to edward.callahan@patch.com.

Name: Michal (Mike) Domogala

Age: 48

Town of residence: Westfield, NJ

Position sought: Mayor of Westfield

Party affiliation: Republican

Family: Wife and 3 children

Education: Christian Brothers Academy, NYU- Economics / East Asian Studies

Occupation: Financial Professional

Previous or current elected or appointed office: Councilman Ward 3

Why are you seeking office?

I’m seeking office because I believe in service rooted in integrity, collaboration, and accountability. Westfield is a town I care deeply about, not just as a resident, but as a neighbor, a parent, and someone committed to seeing our community thrive.

This isn’t about ambition, it’s about responsibility. I want to ensure our town is managed thoughtfully, with clear reasoning and genuine respect for every resident. I believe in protecting what makes Westfield special while planning wisely for its future.

I’m running to represent all voices, to bring people together, and to make sure our decisions reflect both the big picture and the everyday realities of life here.

During my first term as councilman, I’ve worked closely with residents, town staff, and fellow council members to address complex issues with clarity and purpose. Whether it’s public safety, infrastructure, or development, I’ve approached each challenge with a steady hand and a commitment to practical, balanced solutions.

That experience has deepened my understanding of how our town functions and strengthened my resolve to keep Westfield a home we can all be proud of.

What's your reaction when you see businesses, etc. vacate downtown? What do you look for in new tenants?

During my time in town, I’ve seen businesses come and go for a variety of reasons. A mayor does not decide which businesses come to Westfield or where they locate.

It’s a free market system, driven by availability, cost, business type, and whether the owner prefers to be downtown or elsewhere. Too often, we overlook the opportunities for business growth beyond the downtown core, and those areas deserve attention as well.

Traffic flow, parking, sidewalks, and how an area is provisioned to welcome a new business all play a critical role. These are the details that shape businesses’ and patrons’ experiences, and they matter.

As mayor, I would maintain open communication with business owners and provide a consistent forum to hear their concerns and ideas. I see the role as creating an environment where new businesses are encouraged to choose Westfield and established ones feel confident staying.

One issue I’ve recently engaged on is the permitting and approval process, a topic that hits close to home for many owners. Where possible, we should improve turnaround times, offer clearer permitting pathways, and establish baseline requirements for different business types.

That information should be readily available at the start of their buildout. The sooner they open, the better their chances of generating revenue and remaining viable.

What's your approach to overdevelopment concerns in Westfield?

My approach to overdevelopment is rooted in protecting the character of our neighborhoods while planning responsibly for the future. I believe in enforcing size limits, decreasing them where possible, revisiting setback requirements, and coordinating efforts across zoning, planning, and historical preservation to ensure development aligns with the scale and charm of Westfield.

I’m committed to limiting zone creep, especially in cases involving dual-use structures, and making sure any growth is thoughtful, not rushed. That means engaging residents early, evaluating infrastructure impacts like traffic and parking, and preserving our natural spaces.

Development should never come at the expense of livability. My goal is to strike a balance between progress and preservation, always with accountability and public trust at the center.

My definition of responsible development includes advocating for smaller, more appropriate structures than those proposed in the One Westfield Place project, protecting neighborhoods from outsized homes that disrupt scale and character, and maintaining the charm of our historic areas by keeping alterations appropriate. It also means preparing now for the next round of affordable housing obligations so we can push back on state mandates with a clear, proactive plan.

Talk to me about public safety, whether it's your idea on how to help prevent vehicles being broken into around Westfield, or some other concern, where do you see an opportunity to improve?

As a councilman and an active member of the Public Safety Committee, I’ve worked closely with our police department, town staff, and fellow council members to address public safety head-on. It’s a shared responsibility that requires a coordinated team, starting with the Westfield Police Department and supported by every member of the Town Council and the Public Safety Committee.

County and state partners also play a vital role.

I’ve voted to expand License Plate Reader (LPR) coverage, upgrade communications equipment for the WPD, and continue our vehicle replacement program to ensure officers have the tools they need to serve effectively. Our officers participate in routine training to keep up with the most current techniques, and their presence often deters crime before it reaches our town.

Public safety goes beyond crime prevention. It includes pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle safety.

That means evaluating intersections, improving signage and visibility, and ensuring our infrastructure supports safe movement throughout town for residents of all ages. Whether it’s traffic calming, bike lanes, crosswalk improvements, or coordination with county partners, I’m actively working through the Public Safety Committee to keep Westfield safe, accessible, and responsive to the needs of every resident.

I take that responsibility seriously, and I’ll continue to lead collaboratively and with a commitment to protecting our community.

What do you believe is the most important concern to address when implementing a project such as the multi-million dollar proposed improvements to Houlihan-Sid Fay Fields?

The most important concern when implementing a multi-million dollar project like the proposed improvements to Houlihan-Sid Fay Fields is ensuring that the investment aligns with long-term community needs and delivers clear, measurable value. That means starting with transparency and explanation the residents deserve to understand the scope, costs, and expected outcomes before shovels hit the ground.

I believe we are satisfying a long overdue need, and my plan as mayor includes addressing each of the school fields in town.

We also need to prioritize coordination.

A project of this scale touches multiple departments and committees: recreation, public works, public safety, and finance while also accounting for environmental impacts. It must be managed with precision, especially when it comes to budgeting, permitting, and minimizing disruption to existing field use and traffic patterns.

Safety is another critical factor. Improvements must enhance pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle access to the area. That includes evaluating traffic flow, parking, lighting, and sidewalk connectivity to ensure the fields are safely accessible for families, athletes, and spectators.

Finally, we must protect the character of the space. Houlihan-Sid Fay Fields are part of Westfield’s identity, and while this project has taken years to come to fruition, I was proud to vote in favor of it, knowing the benefits it will bring to our sports teams and the broader community.

Any upgrades should honor that legacy while planning responsibly for future generations.

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

I’m not running to learn the job; I’m already doing it. As a sitting councilman and active member of the Finance, Public Safety, Historic Preservation, Library, and Affordable Housing committees, I’ve been making tough decisions, collaborating across departments, and delivering results for Westfield.

With 25 years in finance, I bring the skills to manage complex projects with precision and accountability, asking the right questions, challenging assumptions, and ensuring every dollar delivers value to residents.

I keep it honest and call it like it is.

Too often, campaign promises are made without regard for the complexity of the issues, the process required to address them, or how the town actually functions. I’ve defined what overdevelopment truly means, explained its impact, and outlined what must be done to protect our neighborhoods.

By contrast, my opponent’s vague language that loosely ties the term to affordable housing misses the broader implications and fails to offer real long-term solutions.

When I listen, I take in the full picture, the impact on residents, the effect on town operations, and how each part fits into a well-functioning municipal structure. My record is consistent and grounded in fact.

I was outspoken on One Westfield Place before I was elected, and put my thoughts in writing to the developer, and have continued to remain vocal throughout. I never saw or heard my challenger at any meeting on this issue prior to his candidacy, which makes his sudden claims of leadership on the subject ring hollow.

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

I was elected councilman in Ward 3 in the last election cycle and have served honorably in that role. In every interaction with residents, whether by email or in person, I work to bring about positive change. My commitment to service is rooted in a lifetime of volunteerism, beginning with my experience as a Boy Scout and solidified through earning the rank of Eagle Scout.

When I think about what it means to “handle the job,” a recent example stands out. Last year, when a home on Tudor Oval was destroyed in an explosion, I was on site that very night speaking with the Westfield Police and Fire Departments.

Thankfully, no one was hurt, but the work didn’t end when the fire was extinguished.

Over the following months, I partnered with town staff and neighbors, meeting both in groups and one-on-one, to see the process through: demolition of the home, tree removal, installation of a safety fence, clearing debris, and ultimately grading and seeding the property. It was a long-term effort that required persistence, collaboration, and accountability, and had it not been successful, the neighborhood would still be dealing with disappointment and disruption.

I could cite my professional resume (self-plug, it’s quite good), but what matters most here is how I engage with residents and address real town issues.

I’m willing to speak up, explain how things work, and follow through until the job is done. That applies to something as simple as adding signage to improve safety, as well as to larger, more complex projects like Tudor Oval or my ongoing work on multiple committees.

A mayor should know about the inner workings of each department, and my experience on the Finance Committee does just that. It has given me a deep understanding of every aspect of the town’s budget, departments, expenditures, revenues, and our tax base, to name a few topics.

Applying that knowledge allows me to speak with clarity and purpose, but also challenge where needed.

What's a motto you live your life by?

Technically, it’s a slogan borrowed from the Boy Scouts, “Do a good turn daily.”

What does it mean to you to represent Westfield?

Representing Westfield is an honor I don’t take lightly. As a current councilman, I’m humbled and deeply appreciative of the trust residents have placed in me.

If given the opportunity to continue serving as mayor, I will not compromise in my responsibilities, to residents, to town staff, or to fellow council members. I will lead by example and stand by my word.

Running for office was never a lifelong ambition. It grew out of caring deeply, working hard, being genuine, and getting to know my neighbors, all while offering a steady, willing voice to bring their concerns to Town Hall.

I’ve done my very best to represent and engage with residents while staying true to those principles.

I believe in Westfield, and in the opportunity we have to keep making it a wonderful place to live. I hope to earn your vote this November and build on the mutual respect I have for each and every one of you.

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