Dear Volunteers, Supporters & Friends,

I want to thank each and every one of you who helped us run a strong campaign. I would like to congratulate my opponent Janice Fields on her win. While we did not prevail, the election results were very close, with Ms. Fields winning by 193 votes. This was the closest election since Joan Bannan won in 2018 and further proof that every single vote matters. 

Voter turnout this year was strong, but there is still work to do to ensure that we touch every resident and ensure that Democrats unite to vote from the top of the ticket down to the state, county and local candidates. While the national stage is important, how we are governed at every level matters, and every election has consequences. I am proud of the very strong campaign we ran, thankful for the residents I was able to connect with and for the enthusiasm we generated. 

As we move forward, I hope the Township Committee will take on some of the issues we brought to the forefront during our campaign that clearly resonated with our residents on both sides of the aisle, including preserving and protecting our volunteers who provide emergency services and the need for a much-improved infrastructure. I hope the Committee will rethink their approach with regards to the Liberty Corner First Aid Squad. I look forward to the Committee taking action in the Newell Road area to minimize extreme flooding and implement a rescue plan in the likely event of the need for emergency flood response. Finally, I encourage the Committee to address the issue of accessibility to all township events, to encourage more community events such as a Farmers market during the summer and other events that encourage residents to connect within our community and patronize local businesses. 

While I am saddened at the outcome, I am grateful to all of you for making your voices heard. I would particularly like to recognize and thank my campaign manager Sara Nichols, our queen of GOTV Jennifer Kluger, our dedicated Ridge High School democrats, and everyone on the campaign team, including all of you who canvassed, phone banked, and displayed campaign signs. It takes a lot of hours and manpower to run the strong and authentic campaign that we ran this year and no one’s efforts went unnoticed. I would also like to thank the Bernards Township Democratic Committee. At the county level, a huge congratulations to my fellow candidates Sheriff Darrin Russo, Somerset County Clerk Steve Peter and Commissioner Deputy Director Melonie Marano on their re-election. I am grateful for the support of the Somerset County Democratic Committee. I would also like to thank everyone who donated to our campaign as we could not have done any of this without your generosity. Finally, I would like to thank my husband Jared for always supporting my dreams and aspirations.  I do not know what the next election cycle holds but I remain steadfast and proud of our team, the Democrats of Bernards, and after our performance at the polls, more optimistic than ever.

I look forward to continuing to be of service here in Bernards Township in whatever form that may take in the future. 

Thank you,

Jessica Simpson-Cook