Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill will not seek re-election to a sixth term, opening up his at-large seat when Democrats meet in a March convention to endorse a slate of candidates for the June primary.
Gill’s retirement follows his loss in the February special Democratic primary for Congress in New Jersey’s 11th district. He was seeking the seat vacated by Mikie Sherrill in November following her election as governor.
He is the second of four at-large county commissioners to announce they would not run again. Last week, Patricia Sebold, who has held an at-large seat since 1993, said she would retire at the end of her current term.
“My decision not to seek re-election was not made lightly,” said Gill. “But after careful reflection, I believe this is the right time to close this chapter and begin the next one. While I will not be seeking re-election, my commitment to Essex County, to the State of New Jersey, and to public service remains strong.”
As a county commissioner, Gill played a key role in Essex County’s response to gun violence, advocating for policies that focused on gun prevention, community safety, and accountability. He was a staunch supporter of voting rights and worked to protect fair and secure elections.
Gill also pushed hard for investing in the preservation of open space and the protection of the environment. He worked to expand recreation facilities and access to them. He spearheaded Essex County’s planning and “The Greenway,” the county’s newest park and one of Essex’s most substantial infrastructure and land-use initiatives.
“Serving the people of Essex County has been the greatest honor of my professional life,” Gill explained. “I am deeply grateful to the residents who placed their trust in me and to my colleagues and staff who worked alongside me through moments of challenge and progress.”
A former top aide to U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg and Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-Paterson) and Steve Rothman (D-Englewood), Gill managed Phil Murphy’s 2017 campaign for governor and U.S. Senate campaigns for Cory Booker in 2013 and Lautenberg in 2008.
He was elected to the Essex County Board of Freeholders in 2011, when Ralph Caputo, who was also serving as an assemblyman, gave up his District 5 seat. Gill, the Montclair Democratic municipal chairman, was picked by party leaders as the organization candidate. He defeated Republican Steve Rogers with 62% of the vote for a seat that included Belleville, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Montclair, and Nutley.
Switching to an at-large seat, Gill won re-election in 2014, 2017, 2020, and 2023. He served as the Board President and Vice President and led the board of commissioners during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gill will serve until his elected successor takes office in January 2027.
He operates an influential public affairs firm, The BGill Group. Gill is expected to remain as Montclair Democratic leader.
Alixon Collazos-Gill, his wife, represents the 27th legislative district in the New Jersey State Assembly.
“I’ve watched up close what this work has meant to him—not just the long nights and hard moments, but the deep sense of responsibility he’s carried every day,” she said. “He never treated this as a job; he treated it as a calling. Our family is incredibly proud of the way he served Essex County and grateful to the people who trusted him with that responsibility for so many years. We love you.”
His bid for Congress came with endorsements from Murphy, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, and the Essex Democrats.
“It is bittersweet to learn that Brendan Gill will not seek re-election as a Commissioner,” DiVincenzo stated. “While I am happy for him as he pursues new endeavors, his departure is a significant loss for our board. Brendan has been a true partner and a tireless advocate for the residents of Essex County, and I will miss his support and the insight he brought to every issue. We will miss his presence on the board, but I look forward to continuing our work together to move the Democratic Party forward.”
Essex County Democratic Chairman and New Jersey Democratic State Chairman LeRoy Jones, Jr. said that Gill “embodies the very best of public service.”
“During his time on the Commissioner Board, he has fought every day for the people and communities of Essex County, leading with integrity and delivering results that have made a real difference in the lives of our residents,” stated Jones. “His decision to step away speaks to the same thoughtfulness and strength of character that have always guided his work, and we are deeply grateful for his steady, principled leadership. Brendan’s commitment to this county and to our state has never been confined to a single title, and I have no doubt he will continue to serve with passion, purpose, and an unshakable dedication to the communities that shaped him.”
Gov. Mikie Sherrill said Gill will be “deeply missed” on the board.
“Throughout his decades of service, he has been a tireless advocate for the people of Essex County, consistently delivering meaningful results for our communities,” Sherrill said. “His leadership on critical infrastructure, like the Essex-Hudson Greenway, will have a lasting impact on the quality of life for the people of Essex County. I wish him every success in his next chapter.”