Summit Election Guide

As we look ahead to November’s elections, Summit Patch is devoted to bringing you the information you need about political happenings in Summit, Union County — and beyond.

Here's our opening salvo in our coverage of the candidates and issues we'll be following as November draws near.

An incumbent Common Council member is seeking reelection this year, and a former member is seeking to come back on board.

Republicans Albert Dill, Jr. (Ward 1) and Council President Richard Madden (Ward 2) are the only candidates nominated for council seats, with no opposition from Summit Democrats or Independents.

“My goals are to continue to represent the people of Summit with leadership, teamwork, integrity," Madden wrote in a statement. He said he wants to work to attract qualified volunteers to serve on Council and committees, regardless of party affiliation. He says he's also looking ahead to develop the continuity of future governance in Summit.

Dill, a Summit Firefighter volunteer served on the council for nine years, starting in the 1990s.  He's a former candidate for Union County freeholder.

Summit is also located in the 7th Congressional District. Locals will be choosing between incumbent U.S. Representative Leonard Lance, a Republican, and challenger Upendra Chivukula, a Democrat. It will be an uphill battle for Chivukula: . Chivukula has to enlist support for his campaign.

Summit residents will also get to vote for either State Senator Joseph Kyrillos (R) and U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D) in the race for one of the two U.S. Senate seats representing New Jersey — currently held by Menendez. Kyrillos, who was endorsed by , has already in his primary election victory speech, calling Menendez a "mediocre" senator and stating, "Our unemployment rate, our soaring national debt, our out-of-control spending—these are all getting worse because of policies that Senator Menendez supports." In a statement on primary election night, Menendez said, he looked "forward to a campaign that will focus on and discuss the differences between us in an honorable way."

Keep watching Patch for coverage through November!