Politics & Government

Current Councilman to Run for Mayor Under Republican Party

Dan Hayes has received nomination from GOP party to run for mayor.

He is two years into his first term on the Bridgewater Township Council, but after six years of serving the community, Councilman Dan Hayes is proud to have the opportunity to throw his hat in the ring for mayor in the November election.

Hayes recently received the Bridgewater Republican party nomination for the mayoral position after current .

“I am very honored and excited about the nomination,” he said. “I am very excited about the trust that implies in me.”

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Hayes, who moved to Bridgewater about 12 years ago, is currently serving his first term on the council, but has served the township for about six years in total, including some time spent on the planning board.

“And I spent time on the library advisory committee and the open space advisory committee,” he said. “It helped me get a good feel on the major items of responsibility of those groups, which are about taxes and land use.”

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In addition, Hayes said, he served on the business development ad hoc committee, then stayed on when the committee became official in the township. The ad hoc committee, he said, was formed to look at what types of resources could be used to protect the township’s commercial base.

“That later became a standing committee, and created the economic development officer position and a committee to protect the commercial residents,” he said. “We set a strategy, and that resulted in a lot of improvements.”

For Hayes, community service is very important for him, and he likes to get as involved as possible in all aspects. For 25 years, he worked in engineering, after earning a degree in chemical engineering as well as an MBA, but then decided to switch to something more related to working for the people.

“I wanted to pursue community service, and I wanted to do something in additional to political service, so I became a high school science teacher,” he said, stating that he is in his first year of teaching high school science in Piscataway. “I love technology, and believe our competitiveness depends on the ability to have technically competent people.”

“It’s a win-win,” he added. “And I can fall back in love with the subject, and rediscover the beauty of science.”

Although Hayes said he believes Flannery has done a great job during her tenure as mayor, with her stepping down, he believes he has the leadership skills required to serve the township.

“Our community is well worth the effort of service, and I love the community,” he said. “I believe there are things I would like to accomplish, and I think we have to stay vigilant and protect the quality of life, plus keep our fiscal position strong.”

“I maintain that and maintain vigilance in how we use land and open space,” he added. “And we have to continue to have the employees who work in the municipality deliver for the residents. That takes a certain kind of leadership, which I feel I have the strength to deliver.”

Hayes said he believes he has the knowledge and experience to take on the mayor position with particular leadership skills he has.

“When I worked on the planning board, I had to prepare a response for the Council on Affordable Housing when it reissued requirements and sent everyone into a bit of a panic because there was a large obligation,” he said. “They allowed me to play a leadership role, and I had to give a presentation to a packed room with people who were well-informed and wanted to know our solution.”

“I was very successful in having the crowd leaving knowing we did a great job,” he added.

The other skill he brings, Hayes said, is life experience, with his three children going through the , and his own work in trying to make the community a very strong place.

“I know what it is like to have to pay taxes, and we are all trying to make the community a very strong place,” he said. “We have to juggle those things, and I am fortunate to have a great family.”

And in addition, Hayes said, he has had the opportunity to keep a promise he made during his campaign for council with Evenings with Dan, which he holds on the third Wednesday of every month to discuss any concerns the residents might have about the township. Attendance varies, he said, but he is proud to be able to say that he has not faltered in that promise to hold the meetings.

“I absolutely love conversing with residents, understanding what their issues are and being accessible,” he said. “I committed to being that when I became a councilman, so I take calls anytime and will meet with people. I just felt it was important.”

Hayes said people speak about zoning issues, budgets and any other concerns they have about the township.

“It’s rewarding, and I think as time goes on, we will do more of those,” he said.

As for the nomination from the Republican party, Hayes said, when Flannery said she was not seeking re-election, the chairman called for a screening in which members could nominate themselves or others, and then the members voted on their choice for a nominee. The person who received the majority, plus one, of the votes received the nomination.

“I am always thrilled to have the trust of the people,” he said.


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