Bernards Township Committee Set For 2 New Faces Next Year

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Barring unforeseen complications, the Bernards Township Committee will have two new faces next year. Committee members Joan M. Bannan and Joseph F. Esposito, whose terms expire at the end of this year, were not among the candidates who filed to get on the ballot for June's primaries.

The Bernards Township Committee's elections will have uncontested primaries. Republicans Jennifer Asay and Andrew McNally filed to run, as did Democrats Sophia Chadda and Jessica Simpson-Cook.

Voters will select two people in a party for June 8's primary, which sets the table for all four aforementioned candidates to make it to the general-election ballot. Patch will provide more information on the candidates leading up to Election Day.

Esposito have both served the township committee since 2019. Bannan provided the following statement on why she opted not to run for re-election:

"I have really enjoyed serving on the township committee so the decision not to run again was not an easy one. However, this past year, in particular, was a power reminder our time is not here is not unlimited. I recently returned to the practice of law and am extremely fortunate to work with a great firm. I also have other interests I want to explore and pursue. I’d like to resume classes I was taking at NYU Professional studies.

"I’d like to see my children and grandson more. Like many others this past year, I haven’t seen my oldest son, my daughter-in-law and grandson who live in IL for over a year and a half. My commitment to service won’t end and I will continue to volunteer to serve our community. Serving on the township committee and getting to know the top notch people who work for and on behalf of the residents, I have been able to more deeply appreciate how fortunate I have been to live in Bernards Township."

Patch reached out to Esposito and will update with any response on why he chose not to run for re-election.

Esposito, a Republican, is currently deputy mayor and serves on the Library Board, Planning Board, Police Subcommittee, Sewerage Authority and Somerset County Solid Waste Advisory Committee.

Bannan is the lone Democratic member of the Republican-majority committee. She serves on the Board of Health,Diversity & Inclusion Committee, DPW & Engineering Subcommittee, Environmental Commission, Green team, Municipal Alliance Committee, Police Subcommittee and Sewage Authority.

Bannan and Mayor Janice M. Fields each spoke March 27 at the Rally to Condemn Violence Against Asian Americans in Basking Ridge. Read more: Hundreds Gather In Basking Ridge To Condemn Anti-Asian Violence

Monday was the deadline for candidates to file for the Democratic and Republican primaries. But independent candidates can file by Aug. 30.

Thanks for reading. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to josh.bakan@patch.com.

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading, or by visiting the Google Play store. You can also follow the Basking Ridge Patch Facebook page.