LONGPORT – Dan Lawler wants to add another four years to his 16-year tenure as a member of the Longport Board of Commissioners. He is hoping to win re-election to a fifth term on Nov. 5 with two other members of the “We Love Longport” slate of candidates.
Both Mayor Nicholas Russo and Commissioner Jim Leeds Sr., who also served alongside Lawler for the last 16 years, have decided not to run for another term of office.
Longport is one of only 30 municipalities in New Jersey that are organized under the Walsh Act's commission form of government. There are three at-large seats that carry four-year terms up for grabs on Nov. 5.
In the last election, there were eight candidates vying for three spots on the board. The deadline for other potential candidates to file a petition to run in this year’s election is 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22.
Previous non-partisan elections were held in May. However, when the opportunity to move the election to November became available in 2016, the board voted to change the date to save on the cost of the election.
“When we had elections in May, we generated about 220 votes. Since we moved it to the November General Election, and because we are on the ballot with the presidential candidates, we get more than 500 votes,” Lawler said.
He said if re-elected, he would be the elder statesman who can guide two new members in their roles on the board. As soon as he learned Russo and Leeds would not run, Lawler recruited longtime resident and volunteer firefighter Patrick Armstrong, who also serves as Deputy Fire Chief in neighboring Margate, and James Ulmer, who was 15 votes shy of winning a seat on the board in the 2020 election.
“We all think alike and I love their enthusiasm,” Lawler said. “I think I can help them adjust to being new members of the board.”
Lawler said he chose to run again to complete some unfinished business, such as infrastructure improvements like replacing bulkheads, paving roads and tackling flooding issues.
Patrick Armstrong is making his first attempt at an elected position, but has served Longport well through his volunteerism as a firefighter on the Longport Volunteer Fire Department and as a member of the Beach Patrol where two of his sons work keeping ocean bathers safe.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to represent Longport as a commissioner. As a commissioner, I plan to keep a watchful eye on our taxes and ensure our residents enjoy a comfortable and safe community,” he said. “We are dedicated to preserving our many traditions, such as the Memorial Day Parade, Fourth of July American Mile run, and many other social events that make our town the Pearl of Absecon Island.”
Armstrong said the We Love Longport team is comprised of “smart, energetic candidates” who are ready to serve the borough. “I have devoted my life to public service here in Longport. I was a captain on the Longport Beach Patrol and continued my service as a Longport volunteer firefighter. I feel there is no greater joy than giving back to the community in which I live and love.”
Ulmer, who ran in 2020 on the “Leadership: For a Change” team with Fran Caulfield and Bob English, said his primary motivation is “to give back to the community that means so much to me.”
Ulmer raised his family in Longport and plans to navigate the borough toward the future.
“Preserving Longport’s unique charm and special history is incredibly important to me,” he said. “I believe my professional business background, natural curiosity of learning from others, and steadfast commitment to service to this community would serve the borough well.”
The team has outlined an “impressive plan for the next era,” he said.
Ulmer has worked in sales, marketing and business development in the pharmaceutical industry. He is a member of the Longport Planning and Zoning Board, member of the Atlantic County Office of Emergency Management CERT Team and has coached Little League and Babe Ruth baseball in Margate. Additionally, he is a member of Sustainable Longport, the borough’s Green Team Advisory Committee.
Anyone interested in running in the non-partisan election being held Nov. 5, may obtain nominating petitions from the Borough Clerk's Office at Borough Hall, 2305 Atlantic Ave. The office is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. According to state law, petitions must be returned no later than 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22.
For additional information, call Monica Kyle at 609-823-2731, ext. 100 or email [email protected].
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