Election 2025: Gina Tognini For Newtown Borough Council

Candidates running in the Nov. 4 general election are providing background about themselves and their positions on the issues to voters in these profiles, which will run in Patch individually for each candidate.

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — In Newtown Borough's second ward, two candidates are running for one open, four-year seat on the Newtown Borough Council.

Voters will be asked to pick between incumbent Democrat Gina Tognini, who was appointed to fill a vacancy on the council in 2024, and Republican Bernie Sauer.

Biological Information

Name: Gina Tognini
Age: 66
Town of residence: Newtown Borough
Position sought: Newtown Borough Councilor – Ward 2
What Towns Does Your Position Cover: Newtown Borough
Party Affiliation: Democratic
Family: Husband, Chris; 2 children, Ian and Ava; 3 step-children, Mariel, Missy, and Todd; a dog, Leo, and a cat, Charlie
Education: Marketing Degree, Bowling Green State University; two years of Master's Program at Case Western Reserve University and St. John’s University in marketing
Occupation: Borough Councilor and Rental property owner/manager

Questions

1. Why are you running for council? If elected, what will you bring to the table?

As a member of Borough Council, I am running to retain my seat. In the year that I have served, I have seen the many ways the council can have a positive impact on the community and I wish to continue my work, alongside the other dedicated councilors, to maintain the historic, warm and friendly atmosphere of the borough while at the same time, focusing on improvements to the that will enhance our living experiences.

2. What do you see as the most pressing issues facing the town and what are your ideas for addressing them?

Newtown Borough is a walking town, and as the liaison to the Walk Friendly Newtown committee, I share their concern about the safety of our many pedestrians and drivers. Thankfully, the Borough is addressing these concerns through safety initiatives such as improved visibility of crosswalks, ensuring sidewalks are clear of vegetation, improved signage, and increased enforcement campaigns via our police department. I’m also interested in community connectedness and am working with various committees on third spaces and events to draw our residents into our many public spaces. Examples of this include the borough's commitment to outdoor spaces such as Patriots Park, the Commons, and our new Frost Lane sidewalk leading to a soon-to-be-built pedestrian bridge that will be fully paid for by grants.

3. Do you have any answers to the budgetary pressures facing the town, including the escalating cost of the emergency services?

As emergency services organizations across the country move from a volunteer program model to a predominantly paid one, this will naturally increase the costs the Borough will need to bear. Everyone agrees that these are vital services, with some of these costs borne directly by the borough while others are shared with the township. As stewards of our taxpayers’ dollars, we are obligated to make certain that expenses are necessary and that costs are controlled. Where we share expenses with the township, I am grateful we have borough councilors who are knowledgeable and committed to making certain that the sharing of those expenses is fair and equitable.