Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty Announces Bid For Re-Election

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Tim Dougherty is seeking four more years. The Morristown mayor announced his bid Tuesday for re-election.

Dougherty is running on a Democratic slate with Council Members Toshiba Foster and David Silva and Active Community Volunteer Nathan Umbriac. Foster serves as Town Council vice president. All four seek the Democratic nomination in the June 8 primary.

“Our administration successfully introduced five budgets that decreased the municipal tax rate, created affordable housing, preserved 11 acres of open space, created a community garden, and new pocket parks in Town,” Dougherty said in a news release.

Dougherty expects his campaign platform to center expansion of parks and open space, improving services and stabilizing taxes.

The mayor faces a primary challenge from Esperanza Porras-Field, founder of the Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce. Porras-Field has served on the Morristown Planning Board, Parking Authority, Housing Council and Democratic Committee.

Porras-Field's platform includes implementing term limits for all Morristown elected officials, along with promoting new projects, such as dog parks, bike lanes, ride-sharing bicycle systems and a "more pedestrian friendly" downtown corridor.

Dougherty seeks a fourth term in office. Last time running, he earned 73 percent of the vote in the 2017 general election.

Umbriac replaces Council Member Michael Elms on Dougherty's ticket. He is a longtime community volunteer as a board member of the Interfaith Food Pantry, Morristown Housing Authority and Environmental Commission.

“I am enthusiastic to join such a dynamic ticket of leaders in our community," Umbriac said. "They have constantly fought to do the best for all residents and I look forward to working alongside them to continue the progress.”

The June 8 election will primarily take place in-person, Gov. Phil Murphy said this week. All regularly operating polling places will be open for voters who wish to cast ballots through machines, he said.

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