Cranford has a new Democratic municipal chairperson: Township Attorney Ryan Cooper, who succeeded current chair and longtime Union County Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski at the party’s reorganization meeting.
“The Cranford Democratic Committee has accomplished a lot over the past four years,” Kowalski said in a statement. “We have ensured strong gains in our representation on the township committee, supported critical policies in support of our residents and reinvigorated our committee with new members and perspectives.”
The party’s first vice-chair is Kate Rappa, who lost a general election for township committee in 2021. Also on the leadership team as recording secretary is Craig Coughlin III, the son of the Assembly Speaker of the same name.
Democrats currently control the Cranford township committee 3-1, with one seat vacant after Democratic Committeeman Jason Gareis announced his resignation to become an Assistant Union County Prosecutor. The township backed Joe Biden 60%-39% in 2020 and Gov. Phil Murphy 54%-45% in 2021, though local elections are often still competitive.