Meet Stephan Lally, Running For Re-Election To Woodbridge School Board

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — On the Woodbridge school board, voters this November will be asked to vote for four candidates. These three have no challengers:

• Jonathan Triebwasser: Current BOE member, Inspiring Young Minds slate
• Akshar Sidana: Current BOE member, Inspiring Young Minds slate
• Vincent Coughlin: Current BOE member, Inspiring Young Minds slate. (His father is New Jersey Assembly speaker Craig Coughlin)

Also, voters will be asked to vote for one among these two candidates:

• Stephan Lally: Current BOE member, Inspiring Young Minds slate
• Tom Maras, Educate to Empower

Election day is Nov. 4, early, in-person voting starts this Saturday. You can vote early in person starting this Saturday at the Acacia Youth Center (formerly Hungarian Manor), 95 Port Reading Avenue in Woodbridge. In-person early voting locations will be open Saturday, October 25, through Sunday, November 2. Hours will be Monday to Saturday, 10 am–8 pm and Sunday, 10 am–6 pm. No appointment is necessary.

• Check if you are registered to vote.
• Where can I drop off my ballot?
• Track my mail-in ballot.
• Where can I vote in person?

Election 2025 In Woodbridge: Who's Running, When And Where To Vote

Patch asked both Lally and Maras to answer a set of questions, and here are Lally's answers:

Your name, age and office you are running for. Do you currently hold this office and if so, for how long? Both years and terms.

My name is Stephan Lally, I’m 27 years old, and I currently serve on the Woodbridge Township Board of Education. I was appointed in June 2025 and am now running to continue that service as an elected member of the Board.

What is your occupation?

I serve as the Deputy Chief of Staff to Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin in the New Jersey Assembly Majority Office, where I help advance legislation, manage community projects, and work with leaders at every level of government to deliver results for New Jersey residents.

Have you ever run for elected office before? Please list all races and their outcomes.

Well, technically my first election was freshman year of college when I ran campus-wide to become student government president, I won by 11 votes.

But Woodbridge School Board is the first real elected office I’ve ever run for. While I’ve worked in public service and community leadership for years, this is my first opportunity to earn the direct trust of voters.

What are your specific accomplishments or skills that would make you a good Woodbridge School Board member?

From my time in student government at Ramapo College, to serving as a voting member of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, to my work in the New Jersey Legislature, I’ve always been focused on helping people and solving problems.

Those experiences taught me how to listen, how to bring people together, and how to find common ground. I understand how government works, and I know how to make it work better for families. On the Board of Education, I’ve brought that same mindset, one that values teamwork, accountability, and a clear focus on doing what’s best for our over 14,000 students.

I want every child in Woodbridge to have a safe, modern and inspiring place to learn, and I want taxpayers to know their dollars are being used wisely to make that happen.

Why should voters vote for you?

I care deeply about Woodbridge and its future. The voters here deserve someone who will work hard, listen to the community, and always keep students first. I believe in strong schools, responsible spending, and open communication with parents, teachers and residents.

If elected, I’ll continue to be a steady, collaborative voice who focuses on results, not politics. I’ll work to strengthen our schools, support our educators, and ensure that every decision made is in the best interest of our students and families.

Please give 1–2 examples of how you think the current Woodbridge school board has failed residents.

One of the things that makes Woodbridge special is how closely the Board of Education and the municipal government work together. That partnership is rare in New Jersey, and I’ve seen firsthand how much it benefits our schools and our community.

A great example is the recent renovation of Avenel Street School, one of the oldest schools in our district. We were able to open new classrooms, expand the cafeteria, and enlarge the gymnasium, all at no additional cost to taxpayers. That project came together because of teamwork between the Board, the Township and the state.

Rather than focusing on shortcomings, I believe our job is to build on that model of cooperation and keep finding ways to deliver high-quality results without burdening families with higher taxes.

What’s your favorite part about living in Woodbridge?

What I love most about Woodbridge is the pride people take in their neighborhoods. Whether you’re in Woodbridge, Colonia, Iselin, Fords or Port Reading, each section of town has its own identity, history and sense of community.

Even though we’re a Township of more than 100,000 residents, it still feels like a hometown. People look out for one another, show up for community events and take pride in our schools. That spirit is what makes Woodbridge such a great place to live, and it’s why I’m proud to serve and give back to the community that raised me.