Susan Okin Goldsmith is a gem within Basking Ridge’s burgeoning blue community. A resident since 1991, she has raised her two children here and is a strong Democratic advocate, making her mark in many unique and important ways.
 
Susan grew up in West Orange and is a third-generation attorney. Her father and grandfather practiced law at their firm (Okin & Okin) in Newark. They worked on the reelection of NJ Congressman Peter Rodino in the early 1970s, when Susan was a young teenager. Rodino was the Chair of the House Judiciary Committee during the Nixon impeachment hearings. The Nixon hearings served as Susan’s political awakening.
 
She went on to attend the Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania) as an undergrad, then followed in her father and grandfather’s footsteps as a lawyer, attending Rutgers Law School. Susan has a deep interest in helping businesses thrive. She is now a partner at McCarter & English and is also a member of Golden Seeds, an investment group which focuses on women-owned and managed businesses.
 
Susan points to her participation in the 2017 Women’s March (following Trump’s first election) as her second political awakening. “We all woke up then and need to stay awake today!” she says. At that time, Susan was among a group of local women who had joined and then ran a township-focused political Facebook group. The group led her to become a key member of the revitalized BTDC, helping to create the group’s bylaws and mission statement, and she serves as one of two District 3 reps today. Susan believes, “It’s important to elect and appoint people with our values at every level.”
 
“When I moved here, it was single party Republican rule with no other voices. That has changed for the better. We’re not yet at parity, but we are slowly getting there. My goal for the BTDC is to continue to assist in ensuring there’s a multitude of voices and a presence that remains strong within the town.”
 
“It amazes me that people think Democrats aren’t capitalists. I am a capitalist. For Bernards, it’s important to keep businesses here. Unfortunately, after managing local government well, our Township Committee went in the wrong direction with development and refused to let Democrats sit on committees. That’s wrong. And I am very concerned about the new MAGA Republican party, especially their social values, or lack thereof.”
 
In addition to her other work, Susan has been a pillar of the local Jewish community via her involvement with Congregation B’Nai Israel, which recently closed its doors. About CBI, she said, “I’m very sorry to see its demise. Jewish values are very important to me and have traditionally been best expressed through the Democratic Party.”
 
– Jen Aaron