Election 2024: Meet the Montclair Candidates for Mayor and Council

The Montclair Municipal Election will take place on Tuesday, May 14. Montclair Local asked all 15 candidates to provide a biographical statement to help you get to know each candidate and their vision for the future of Montclair. Candidates appear in order of their position on the ballot.

In the weeks leading up to the election, Montclair Local will also be publishing candidates’ answers to questions on key issues facing the township.

Mayor

Christina “Chrissy” Thomas – Independent Candidate

Chrissy Thomas is a 55-year resident with deep roots in the community and a product of the Montclair Public School System -Mountie, ‘87.

Thanks to this strong foundation, Thomas was able to thrive at Wesleyan, University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown and University of Virginia.

In addition to being a practicing trial lawyer, Thomas has an MBA and a Masters of Public Policy. She worked for the NYC Corporation Counsel; the White House; founded a national non-profit, and managed a large office. She is a single mother with a law office at 96 Park, and a landlord who tries to do right by tenants. She was a class mom (every year); active in the PTA; familiar with Robert’s Rules; and coached Montclair youth teams (soccer and field hockey). Thomas is a first generation Indian that can rehab old buildings and cook for fifty.

Thomas knows firsthand what every parent in this town is going through. Montclair taxes are among the highest in the nation, but things they fund—including schools—are left lacking. Montclair government doesn’t make smart choices. Over decades, successive councils have wasted millions, without transparency, value or accountability to taxpayers. Good government functions within parameters of applicable laws. Stakeholders should feel confident that Montclair strives for lucrative, affordable, environmentally sound, data-driven solutions. Stakeholders want to benefit Montclair’s safety and welfare, not subsidize other towns. 

For years Thomas has attended council meetings, researched relevant issues, and presented facts to the Council. Instead of continuing to bang her head against the wall, she was asked to run for mayor.

Thomas envisions each councilor running meetings, reinforcing mutual respect, while emphasizing members have seven equal votes. Thomas looks forward to serving an extraordinary community. Montclair is not a stepping stone to higher political office; it should be the destination all council members seek.

Renee Baskerville – Together Montclair

​​As a fourth-generation Montclair resident, Dr. Renee E. Baskerville has served her hometown for decades, and in many capacities, thanks to a deeply rooted belief in what it means to be a Mountie. With her 30 years of experience in community service and engagement in the town’s government, she is more than ready to serve on “day one.” She understands the progressive values of Montclair. She sees a path to a better future by bringing people together to make our town better.

Baskerville is focused on building a resilient community of protected, secure, green environments, a thriving local economy, world-class services, resources for aging in place, and schools that impact quality of life for all. Inspired by the legacy of service of her grandparents and parents, Charles and Marjorie Baskerville, and her identical twin, Dr. Lezli Baskerville, Esq., Baskerville dedicated her adult life to serving her hometown. 

During her tenure as Montclair’s 4th Ward councilor, Baskerville demonstrated unwavering focus and determination in addressing priorities identified by constituents. She is the only person to serve three terms as a 4th Ward council member, an impressive 12 years. Baskerville also served on the Montclair School Board, as vice president.

Her commitment extends beyond local government. Baskerville has actively participated in numerous organizations such as Northeast Earth Coalition (Board Member), Bike Walk Montclair, League of Women Voters, Montclair N.A.A.C.P, M/A/A/H/F. Inc, to name just a few. 

A proud graduate of Montclair Public Schools, Baskerville furthered her education by earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Oberlin College in Ohio. She earned her medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry in Newark, NJ, now known as Rutgers University School of Medicine. Baskerville has served as a pediatrician for the nearby East Orange School District. 

Council At-Large

VOTE FOR TWO

Susan Shin Andersen – Together Montclair

Susan Shin Andersen moved to Montclair in 2009, for its proximity to New York City, arts and cultural offerings, parks, the magnet public school system, and racial, ethnic and socioeconomic diversity.

She is running for Councilor-At-Large to preserve and enhance the diversity of Montclair, and to help build a community where everyone feels they can thrive, not just survive. She believes Montclair needs to prioritize affordability, health and well-being of all residents, and restoration of trust and transparency in the way Montclair is governed and managed to fulfill its promises to be the special place we all call home. 

With her passion for community-building, volunteer service and belief in connecting individuals to empowering resources, she can listen, advocate, lead with openness and empathy, and make informed decisions based on data and resident input. For more than 15 years, she has served the non-profit community through volunteer work at Toni’s Kitchen and as a member of its Advisory Committee; as an active member of the AAPI Montclair’s Advocacy Committee, working on local and state issues that impact Asian Americans and other communities; and as a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church’s governing board.

In 2020, she and her husband established the Kaija Jung Andersen Memorial Scholarship fund in memory of their late daughter to support Montclair High School college-bound seniors. Shin Andersen enjoyed being a class parent at Nishuane Elementary School. She continues to volunteer with early childhood literacy programs.

Shin Andersen has degrees in sociology and law. She pursued a career in research administration at Weill Cornell Medicine. She now works as research policy manager at NYU Langone Health. She has extensive experience negotiating contracts with large pharma, medical device companies and academic institutions. In her current role, she collaborates with multiple stakeholder groups across all levels of the institution.

Carmel Loughman – Montclair Good Government Team

As Councilor-at-large, Carmel Loughman’s goals will be to implement best practices to achieve a highly functional Council; to encourage continued citizen participation in government; to engage in long-term planning, particularly on land use issues; and to ensure that Town Hall uses taxpayers’ dollars wisely. Loughman believes firmly in research-focused and data-based decision making to inform her positions.

A business professional with an MBA in finance from NYU, Loughman is trained in risk analysis. She had a 35 year career as risk manager for Fortune 100 companies in the insurance, copper mining, pharmaceutical, and beauty industries. 

During her eight years on the Montclair Planning Board, Loughman has worked hard, weighing the interests of developers with those of the community to reach balanced recommendations. Among many applications she reviewed, she is proud to have influenced the features of the Seymour Street project, the Westerly (Park Street), the former Warner Communications building (Lorraine Ave), 65 Church St. (Hahnes parking lot), and Lackawanna Plaza Redevelopment Plan. 

A Montclair resident for over 37 years, Loughman has one son who attended Montclair schools, both public and private.  As past treasurer and communications director of the non-partisan League of Women Voters Montclair Area, she has a keen interest in voter education, civic participation and good government practices. Loughman attends St. James Episcopal Church where she served on the Vestry, ran fundraising campaigns, sat on the Insurance and Finance Committees, and took part in outreach activities such as soup kitchen cook, and thrift shop worker. 

Participating as a volunteer in the civic life of Montclair has greatly enriched her life. Loughman believes that “The purpose of life is to ease the journey for others.” She wants to use her skills, expertise and time as a committed public servant to give back to fellow Montclarians.

Editor’s note: Loughman said she resigned from the LWV Board on February 11, 2024 to avoid any conflicts with her run for Town Council.

Robert Russo – Montclair Good Government Team

Bob Russo has served as Montclair at-large councilor since 2012.  He was elected to represent the First ward for two terms and then elected Mayor in 2000.  He served on the Montclair Planning Board, Board of School Estimate and Library Board and was liaison to several advisory committees, including Senior Citizens and People With Disabilities.

Russo earned his M.A. in American Government at Rutgers University, beginning his career as a 4^th grade teacher in Newark. He moved on to college-level work as an adjunct professor, teaching Public Administration courses at Montclair State, Kean and Rutgers Universities.  Now retired, Russo served in various government and business roles during a 40-year career, culminating in his final work as director of Mediation/Intergovernmental Relations & Lemon Laws for the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Bob also served as  President of the Consumers League of New Jersey. 

A Montclair resident along with wife Christine for over 35 years, Russo’s community activities include memberships in numerous organizations: Essex Running Club, Sierra Club, Montclair LWV, Montclair Branch NAACP and the Montclair Democratic Committee. He has also been a strong supporter of Friends of the Howe House, Montclair Jazz Festival, MFEE, Friends of Edgemont and Anderson Parks, and the Bike-Bus.  Bob has been a leader of CWA and AFTNJ unions, currently serving as Treasurer of the MSU Adjunct Faculty AFT Local 6025.

Russo is committed to dedicating all “PILOT” funds for schools; reducing all town/county road speed limits to 25/15 mph; creating affordable housing through smarter development and rent control; establishing a senior citizen center; restoring civility and democracy by returning all council meeting agendas to traditional earlier 3 minute public comment periods. Open, honest, responsive and transparent government, will continue to be the focus of Russo’s service on the Montclair Council. 

First Ward

Erik D’Amato – Independent Candidate

Erik D’Amato’s candidacy is very much a product of his personal history, which like that of many Montclarians may be a little offbeat.

D’Amato grew up in Plainfield, which in his youth was a slightly bigger and rougher version of 1970s Montclair. This gave him an early education in the challenges of local government and public safety. The son of a pioneering businesswoman and a Rutgers psychology professor, D’Amato attended Gill St. Bernard’s school and Hampshire College when they were both famous hippy schools, the kind of places that taught students to question authority, and think globally while acting locally.

His professional career has been a grab-bag of journalism, entrepreneurship, consulting and investigative work, much of it focused on the developing and post-communist world. In his late 20s, D’Amato’s eyes really opened to the scourge of corruption while working in West Africa. He spent part of last fall on assignment probing similar problems in the Balkans. For the 15 years before moving to Montclair in 2014, D’Amato lived in Budapest, Hungary, where his two children were born. Since then, he has devoted much of his time to kids and home and community matters while his wife has worked overtime building America’s leading independent authority on artificial intelligence and related topics, the Data & Society Research Institute.

Like many in the Township with a keen interest in local affairs, D’Amato’s initial involvement was with the schools, which culminated in his launching in 2020 a successful effort to secure for Montclair’s voters the right to elect their school board, as in virtually every other municipality in New Jersey. Since then, he has spent a great deal of time assisting efforts to ensure that Montclair’s municipal government is honest, accountable, and transparent, work he hopes to continue as Councilor for the First Ward.

Shivaun Gaines – Together Montclair

Shivaun Gaines has lived in Montclair for more than 25 years. She is running for First Ward Councilor to prioritize kindness and civility in our local government.

Gaines believes in these challenging times, it’s crucial to approach our community’s issues with thoughtful and creative solutions to ensure Montclair remains vibrant and safe. Her goal is to reintroduce respect and kindness into the fabric of our town, fostering a sense of unity and cooperation among all. Gaines is committed to supporting police and fire, schools, teachers, parks, and the cultural community. She will also prioritize environmental initiatives to ensure a sustainable future for our town.

As former director of Government Relations at Montclair State University, Gaines has developed a special talent for communicating complex issues and building consensus. Her creative approach to working with broad constituencies and coalitions on matters of concern has generated impactful legislation and successful solutions that have affected thousands of employees and millions of dollars.

Gaines created and implemented the first ever-voting district on a college campus in New Jersey – District #9 in Little Falls – for 4,300 students residing on campus. Gaines was the driving force behind establishing Montclair State University as a public research institution signed by Governor Christie on July 21, 2017.

Gaines’ commitment to community includes work as former Legislative Advisor Junior League State Public Affairs Committee, Advisor “Real Men Wear Pink” Montclair, former member New Jersey State Democratic Committee, former Board Member Program for Parents, New Jersey State Senator Weinberg NJ Power Women 2016, 2017, & 2019, New Jersey General Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver “Shirley Chisholm Award” recipient, Hudson County – National Action Network Award recipient, Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly “HOPE Award” recipient. Current member of Montclair Democratic Committee, First Montclair Housing Corp 1 Inc., and founding member of New Jersey Women of Essex.

Second Ward

Ilmar Vanderer – Montclair Good Government Team

Ilmar Vanderer has a deep footprint and long legacy of involvement in Montclair’s civic, cultural, and community affairs and cares genuinely about our town and its residents. For decades, he has translated his caring into tangible actions with meaningful, measurable results, uniting broad cross-sections of stakeholders in support of visionary initiatives ranging from capital campaigns and literacy crusades to budget advocacy and landmark preservation.

Showing commitment to community service at an early age, Vanderer served his classmates in a variety of student government roles, including as senior class president at Montclair High School. Now he is paying it forward by raising scholarship funds for financially deserving Mounties in support of their higher education aspirations.

An arts ally, Vanderer understands that the creative and cultural sectors are a powerful force for social change and an essential economic engine. A champion of literacy, intellectual freedom, and information access equity, Vanderer has served Montclair Public Library as an employee, trustee, fundraiser and volunteer. A 55-year resident of the Second Ward in the historic neighborhood of Buzz Aldrin’s house, Vanderer has long advocated for saving local landmarks and was Montclair Historic Preservation Commission’s 2020 “Preservationist Of The Year.”

Vanderer’s multidisciplinary career experience positions him to provide resourceful leadership demanded by challenges facing Montclair’s municipal government. He has led business delegations on international trade missions, negotiated and averted crisis situations at major public venues, managed massive events such as NYC Fleet Week, and guided one of Montclair’s core institutions through the complexities of the Covid lockdown.

A Duke University graduate and award-winning communications expert, Vanderer knows that effective conversations are about understanding, not just speaking and listening. He will leverage these professional capabilities to achieve clarity and consensus between constituents and council, while advocating for fiscal accountability, housing security, environmental conservancy, traffic safety, and infrastructure sustainability.

Eileen Birmingham – Independent Candidate

Eileen Birmingham was born in Queens and grew up in Rockland County, the daughter of a New York City police officer and a school teacher. Birmingham grew up loving libraries, parks, and bike riding. While she has lived in many different places–from Providence to Houston, San Francisco to eSwatini– Birmingham has been proud to call Montclair her home for the past nine years. Birmingham lives near Watchung Plaza with her husband and daughter, a Glenfield Middle School student. Birmingham’s sisters also chose to raise their families here, in the second ward of Montclair, making it her family’s home. 

Birmingham graduated from Amherst College, Brown University School of Medicine, and Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. Currently, Birmingham works as a research physician focusing on global public health therapeutics. Birmingham leads teams that oversee the risk-benefit profile of medications for tuberculosis and HIV. 

It was during her two years working with Baylor University’s Pediatric AIDS Initiative in eSwatini that Birmingham recognized the power of using data to inform decisions and craft solutions to complicated issues. Birmingham has extensive experience operating in complex situations in a highly collaborative way. As a policy-maker, Birmingham will practice systems thinking to solve challenging problems, focusing on strategic planning, data and transparency. 

Birmingham is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Montclair and has served on its Undoing Racism Committee and Social Justice Team. She was honored to be the first Board Secretary of Out Montclair.

Over the past few years, Birmingham has been interested in local government. Birmingham has advocated for a sustainable budget, equitable shared service agreements, policies that support our LGBTQIA+ community, library funding, transparent meetings, fair promotional practices, and other issues important to the community.

Birmingham loves Montclair and genuinely cares about Montclair’s future together.

Third Ward

Rahum Williams – Together Montclair

Rahum Williams and his family relocated to Montclair in 2015, attracted by its diverse community, quality schools, and proximity to New York City. Since arriving in Montclair, Williams has engaged with the Town Council on a range of different issues from traffic calming measures at dangerous intersections; repair of playgrounds to ensure children can play safely; failing infrastructure; and requesting that the Town Council vote against the Glen Ridge Fire Service contract because it was not a good deal for Montclair. Though opposed to the specific structure of the Glen Ridge contract, Williams favors shared service agreements. Williams petitioned Governor Phil Murphy to push for legislation that requires municipalities in New Jersey to engage in shared service contracts, in an effort to help control property taxes. 

Raised in Brooklyn by a social activist, Williams inherited a passion for community advocacy. From petitioning Brooklyn’s community boards for safer streets to leading neighborhood beautification initiatives, he’s been a catalyst for positive change.  During his tenure on his former building’s co-op board, he spearheaded cost saving initiatives, ensuring affordable maintenance charges for residents. 

With almost three decades of experience in commercial finance, Williams brings a wealth of financial acumen to his community involvement. He aims to introduce key performance indicators into Montclair’s budgeting processes to enhance efficiency; improve community engagement with frequent town hall meetings; and advocate for policies that makes Montclair more affordable for all residents. As a marathoner and cyclist, Williams will also focus on policies that will lead to the implementation of pedestrian friendly street designs.

Williams mentors early career professionals in his industry and supports charitable endeavors focused on providing educational resources to disadvantaged youth. His greatest source of pride and motivation remains his supportive wife and four daughters, whose presence infuses his life with purpose and drive.

Roddy Moore – Montclair Good Government Team

As a seasoned professional with a multifaceted background, Moore brings a wealth of experience to Montclair, developed over 20 years in engineering, banking, and entrepreneurship.

Moore’s engineering background has honed his ability to tackle complex challenges with analytical rigor and a commitment to data-driven decision-making.

As a risk manager, Moore earned the trust of top-tier, Wall Street banks to safeguard their balance sheets, enforce internal guiderails, and navigate rigorous audits and regulatory scrutiny. Moore understands conflicts, transparency and accountability.

As a client-facing dealmaker, Moore led high-performing, cross-functional teams, negotiated legal agreements, executed in a high-pressure environment, and balanced risk versus reward. Moore established a reputation for his ability to build consensus and bring transparency to complex issues and decision-making through writing. Notably, Moore’s expertise in commercial real estate ($850MM+ in closed deals) is unparalleled among the other candidates, positioning him as a uniquely qualified advocate on development and housing issues.

As a regional leader, Moore promoted a culture with empathy at its core and was a champion of pay equity and diversity. Moore was selected to build a team from the ground up, hired 23 professionals, coached people up, and unfortunately coached people out. Moore understands the importance of hiring and getting it right.

As an entrepreneur, Moore has illustrated a commitment to preserving Montclair’s architectural heritage and enhancing neighborhoods for residents.

As someone concerned about the well-being of the planet, Moore actively engages in nurturing the next generation’s environmental stewardship through volunteer efforts with the Nishuane School PTA’s Grow Lab. Spring is here, and Moore can’t wait to get growing.

As Third Ward Councilor, Moore will prioritize direct, meaningful engagement with residents to understand their concerns, get their feedback, and respond to it. Expect old school, face- to-face interaction in addition to leveraging technology to achieve this.

Wendy A. Tiburcio – Independent Candidate

With a passion for community building, a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and a drive for positive change, Wendy Tiburcio aims to bring a fresh perspective to the council. Her candidacy is driven by a deep desire to serve as a compassionate, collaborative voice for residents and to contribute to having more diverse views represented. If elected, she would be the first Latina to serve on the council (originally from the Dominican Republic, later raised in Passaic, NJ). She is fluent in both English and Spanish.

A digital creator known as @themontclairnista, Tiburcio demonstrates her passion for the Montclair community by collaborating with and advocating for local businesses and non-profit organizations. Through social media outreach, she helps bring business and awareness to local establishments and entrepreneurs. She has also been an active volunteer/member of Latinos of Montclair, a non-profit organization of Latinos in Montclair promoting greater visibility, celebrating cultural diversity, and encouraging civic engagement.

Tiburcio is a multifaceted communications professional and creative storyteller with proven experience (20+ years) overseeing the vision, strategic direction, and execution of communications, marketing, and employee engagement programs for Fortune 500 corporations. Throughout her career, she has managed a range of complex projects in highly matrixed work environments, collaborating across teams, geographies, and executives.

Tiburcio fell in love with Montclair while at Montclair State University and is a proud graduate in Communications Studies and Journalism. A Montclair resident for 12½ years, she shares her home with her husband and their four-year-old son, who will soon enter the Montclair Public Schools system.

Tiburcio’s commitment to giving back to the community, empowering others, and youth education is evident in her involvement with several non-profit organizations over the years. These include Latinas en New York, Junior Achievement, The Opportunity Network, and Step Up. 

Fourth Ward

Zina Floyd – Independent Candidate

Originally from Queens and Monsey, New York, Zina Floyd relocated to Montclair in 1988. She is a dynamic entrepreneur and an integral community advocate. During a 30-year career, she has made significant contributions in real estate, publishing, pharmaceuticals, and public relations, concentrating on sports, entertainment, and corporate sectors. Her education at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ, served as a robust foundation for her diverse professional journey.

Floyd ventured into real estate early, purchasing her first property at 17. She has a sharp instinct for spotting investment and development opportunities, underscoring her commitment to fostering community growth and rejuvenation.

Floyd made her mark in the publishing and pharmaceutical fields, with an expertise in marketing and brand development. As a publicist, Floyd’s skills in communication and networking enabled her to effectively manage public personas and brand awareness of various clients, ranging from sports figures to entertainers.  

Floyd plays a vital role in Montclair’s South End as president of the South End Business District. Along with her husband, Michael Floyd, a native of Montclair, she co-founded Cafe Moso in the Fourth Ward. The couple also runs a private preschool and enrichment center in Maplewood, showcasing their commitment to quality education.

Floyd was appointed to the Montclair COVID Task Force. In this role, she worked alongside prominent township leaders, addressing COVID-related challenges within the business district and beyond. Her efforts during this crisis exemplified her commitment to community, demonstrating her ability to lead and innovate.

She is board president of Good Success Academies, a program focused on career and entrepreneurial development of middle and high school students.  Floyd also initiated STGI Inc., a platform to empower women entrepreneurs, providing mentorship to foster change and encourage professional growth.

Floyd has been honored with the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., Montclair Business Award.

Patricia Hurt – Independent Candidate

Patricia Hurt is a lifelong resident of Montclair and a graduate of the Montclair School system. She was the recipient of the Montclair High School Award given to one or two graduating seniors. 

Hurt is a graduate of Elmira College and Howard Law School. She has studied abroad at  Christ Church College in Canterbury, England and St. Andrews University, St. Andrews,  Scotland. During her academic years, she served as a legislative intern for the Honorable  Shirley Chisholm in Washington, D.C. 

Hurt’s career path has led her to serve as an assistant prosecutor in Essex and Hudson counties and as a professor at Montclair State and Kean University. Hurt was the first Black woman to serve as the deputy county administrator in the Essex County government and the first Black woman appointed as the Essex County Prosecutor. She has served as the Chief Prosecutor for the City of Newark and a member of the New Jersey bar for the past forty-one years. 

For the past 25 years, Hurt has been the legal studies teacher at the Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr.  Academy in East Orange, New Jersey. She was nominated as Teacher of the Year in 2006  and she coached her elementary students to win seven mock trial championships sponsored by the New Jersey State Bar Foundation. 

The Hurt legacy is visible at Glenfield School, where the basketball courts have been named after her late brother Robert Hurt. She has continued her brother’s legacy with his summer basketball camp. Patricia’s history of community service is extensive. Hurt is a board member of the Montclair Grassroots, Inc., initiated the Robert Hurt Athletic Scholarship at  Montclair High School and is a major contributor to Mission For His Glory, Inc., a Christian nonprofit. Under this nonprofit, Hurt has given over two thousand dollars in food gift cards to the homeless in Essex County. 

Having owned three properties in the Fourth Ward,  Hurt will campaign to keep taxes stable.

Aminah Toler – Montclair Good Government Team

Awarded the 2022 New Jersey Heroes Award by United States Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, Aminah Toler is a volunteer, organizer and activist. Her contributions are as diverse as the community she has called home for the last 42 years, and as profound as her calling to support and uplift the people of Montclair.  

Toler is one of the founding members of Montclair Mutual Aid, an organization started during the height of the pandemic to help serve neighbors in need. She is the former chair of the membership committee for the Montclair Branch Chapter of the NAACP and the vice-chair for the Township’s Landlord Tenant Advisory Committee. She is also the board chair for the Friends of the James Howe House (“FOHH”), an organization that secured the first “Freed Slave House” in Montclair. Toler is a board member of the Montclair Early Music program and a member of Mocha Moms. 

A few of her awards include the Montclair Township Historic Preservation Commission Preservation Service Award (May 2023) and the FOHH recipient of YWCA Northern New Jersey Racial Justice Award (April 2023) for working to eliminate racism and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Toler’s professional career in the public schools has gained her an expansive knowledge of school budgets, policies and procedures, risk management, operations and board practices. Each and every one of these skills dovetails with being a Councilor with a thorough understanding of township rules and regulations.

Toler is a Montclair native who attended the Montclair Public Schools and still resides here. She takes great pride in her community and is running for town council to continue her extensive efforts to bridge divides, build coalitions, and effect positive change. Her work is expansive, touching disparate areas like historic preservation, social services, civic participation, housing equity and music appreciation.