Meet Sharon McAuliffe, Democrat Running For Re-Election To Woodbridge Council

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Nov. 4 will be an election for Woodbridge town Council.

All six current Woodbridge Council members, all Democrats and backed by Mayor John McCormac, ask voters to re-elect them. They are challenged by six Republicans.

In Ward 1, Republican Ken Gardner challenges Sharon McAuliffe, seeking re-election to the Ward 1 Council seat. Patch asked Gardner and McAuliffe a similar set of questions, and here are McAuliffe's answers:

Your name, age and office you are running for.

Sharon McAuliffe, First Ward Council Woodbridge, NJ

Do you currently hold this office and if so, for how long? Both years and terms.

I was sworn in on January 18 2022, taking over for the late Nancy Drumm. I ran for that seat in 2022, which I won. Making my current time as a councilwoman from 1/18/2022 to 10/6/2025(today), 1375 days, which is about 3 years and 8 ½ months.

What is your occupation?

I am owner-operator of a small business.

Have you ever run for elected office before?

Yes, as I stated in question #2, I ran and won BOTH the Primary and General election for the First Ward Council position in 2022.

What are accomplishments you're proud of having served on the Woodbridge Council?

My most important accomplishments may seem small to some, but they make a big difference in the lives of our residents. Whether it’s answering questions, helping resolve concerns, or addressing issues like pothole repairs, removing graffiti, or adding crosswalks to keep children safe on their way to the park, these everyday improvements matter. You don’t always have to do something huge to make an impact — often, it’s the small things that count the most. Other highlighted accomplishments are:

*Tree lighting in Sewaren
*Bringing Strickland Steakhouse to downtown, which began the revitalization of Main Street
*Working with the elementary school students to raise money for the Buddy Benches

*Working on the Sewaren Waterfront project, keeping the beach and surrounding areas clean

Why should voters vote for you again?

I am deeply committed to serving the residents of Woodbridge and take great pride in being their voice. I make it a priority to listen carefully to residents’ concerns and advocate for the issues that matter most to them.

My efforts are focused on addressing food insecurity, promoting sustainability, and supporting our youth through school programs, athletics, and the arts.

Over the past three years, I have worked diligently to assist constituents with a wide range of concerns, including road and graffiti repairs, enhanced safety measures near parks and schools, improved downtown parking, upgraded restroom facilities at outdoor concert venues and better-maintained youth athletic fields.

In addition, I have supported families facing difficult circumstances, helped attract new businesses to the downtown and greater Woodbridge area, and consistently backed our schools. I donate daily to the local food pantry, support the Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT), and collaborate with the Green Team on environmental initiatives — including providing composting materials for the community garden that supplies local food banks.

I also work closely with the Chamber of Commerce to promote “Buy Local” initiatives and partner with the Police Community Affairs team to create meaningful programs for our youth while continuing to support local sports organizations. My goal is to continue strengthening the sense of community that makes Woodbridge a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.

Republicans challenging you say the Woodbridge Council and Mayor McCormac have allowed too many apartments to be built in Woodbridge, and given too many PILOTs. They say the McCormac team has allowed Woodbridge to become too developed and too crowded. What is your response?

The McCormac administration has used PILOTs wisely as I see every day when I look at a brand-new Ross Street School #11 instead of a 105 year-old building and a completely refurbished Woodbridge Middle School and a greatly expanded Matthew Jago School #28 in Sewaren.

I see people walking dogs and pushing strollers all day and night on Main Street, which used to be less vibrant before tremendous efforts to attract restaurants and businesses, which would not be there without apartment tenants to shop and dine here. My opponent, Ken Gardner, was not against PILOTs and apartments after he switched parties years ago to ours and even complimented Main Street at a Council meeting. But now that he again switched parties, he is suddenly against everything the McCormac Administration and municipal council have accomplished.

What's your favorite part about living in Woodbridge?

ROOTS! My family’s history in Woodbridge goes back 100 years. My great-grandparents house still standing in Woodbridge proper. My grandparents raised our family, they both worked the township and school district, involved in community organizations building a foundation of service and community that has carried through the generations. My parents both graduated from Woodbridge High School, and I continued that tradition with my own children — and now even my grandchildren are growing up and going to school here.

I’ve built a family business in town, and along the way, we’ve made lifelong friends and connections that make Woodbridge feel like home in every sense of the word. What I treasure most is that, even though Woodbridge has grown into a large and diverse township, it still has that small-town feeling where people know each other, look out for one another, and share a deep pride in calling this community our own.

Meet Ken Gardner, Republican Running For Woodbridge Council Seat

Woodbridge Republican Candidates Want Less Development And An End To One-Party Rule (Sept. 23)

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