Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Stanhope Borough Council Election 2026
2 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 3 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
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How to vote · 11 days left
General election (Nov 3): the election office's noticeThese links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.
Borough Council
Vote for up to 2- Najib IftikharAssistant professor of business at Morris County Community College, running as a Republican.3sourced
- Anthony J. RiccardiIncumbentStanhope councilman who chairs the council's Information Technology committee. He also serves on the Public Safety committee.8sourced
- Thomas J. RomanoIncumbentStanhope Borough Council President for 2026 and chair of the council's Finance/Administration committee.7sourced
Voters choose up to two of three candidates for two at-large Borough Council seats; the mayor and four other council members are not on the ballot.
Also on your Nov 3 ballot
We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.
- U.S. Senate
- Cory Booker · Democratic
- Justin Murphy · Republican
- Veronica Fernandez · End the Corruption!
- Joanne Kuniansky · Socialist Workers Party
Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.
Already on the council, not on the ballot
Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.
- Tyler SimpsonCouncilman; term expires December 31, 20273sourced
- Daniel SmithCouncilman; term expires December 31, 20284sourced
- Bill ThorntonCouncilman; term expires December 31, 20273sourced
- Scott WachterhauserCouncilman; term expires December 31, 20284sourced
- Gene WronkoMayor; term expires December 31, 20272sourced
What the next council decides
01Affordable housing zoning4 sourced facts
Where it standsIn March 2026 the council adopted Fourth Round affordable housing ordinances, including overlay zones that require a 20% affordable set-aside; it revised one zone in July 2026.
What's on the tableThe next council will act on development proposals in the overlay zones and on related housing plans.
- The borough planner said on February 10, 2026 that the number of 101 affordable units stayed the same in the revised Housing Element and Fair Share Plan. Borough of Stanhope · Feb 10, 2026
- Ordinance 2026-03, creating Affordable Housing Overlay Zones, was adopted 5-0 on March 10, 2026. Borough of Stanhope · Mar 10, 2026
- Ordinance 2026-15, revising the AHO-2 overlay zone to remove Lot 9.01, was adopted 3-0 on July 28, 2026. Borough of Stanhope · Jul 28, 2026
- On May 26, 2026, Danbro Properties made a presentation to the council on a potential development. Borough of Stanhope · May 26, 2026
02Budget and taxes3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026 municipal budget 5-0 on April 14, 2026, authorizing $5,904,711.24 for municipal purposes.
What's on the tableThe next council will set the 2027 budget and decide whether to again exceed the state appropriation cap.
- Resolution 077-26 adopted the 2026 budget and authorized $5,904,711.24 for municipal purposes. Borough of Stanhope · Apr 14, 2026
- Ordinance 2026-05 allowed the 2026 budget to increase by up to 3.5% over the prior year's final appropriations, or $149,406.60. Borough of Stanhope · Mar 10, 2026
- Water and sewer rates rose again in 2026 under increases announced in March 2024; the 2026 sewer base rate is $142.00 and the water base rate is $100.00. Borough of Stanhope · Feb 26, 2026
03Cannabis retail2 sourced facts
Where it standsIn March 2026 the council passed a resolution supporting New Jersey Leaf, LLC's application for a cannabis retail shop at 93 State Route 183.
What's on the tableThe council will decide whether to grant the final local cannabis license after the other approvals.
- Borough code requires a local Class 5 cannabis retail license from the council before a cannabis retail shop can operate. Borough of Stanhope · Mar 10, 2026
- The council's support is conditioned on approvals from the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission, the Land Use Board and others, and a final borough license. Borough of Stanhope · Mar 10, 2026
04Tree removal rules3 sourced facts
Where it standsA state-required tree removal and replacement ordinance was tabled on June 23, 2026 so the Shade Tree Commission could weigh in; the council discussed revisions on August 25, 2026.
What's on the tableThe council will decide the final ordinance, including fees and who reviews tree removal applications.
- Ordinance 2026-13 says municipalities with a Tier 1 MS4 stormwater permit must adopt a tree removal and replacement ordinance. Borough of Stanhope · Jun 23, 2026
- The administrator said on August 25, 2026 that applications should go to the Shade Tree Commission, not the Zoning Officer. Borough of Stanhope · Aug 25, 2026
- The draft lets residents pay the borough $100 per tree instead of planting replacement trees, and a change to $200 was suggested. Borough of Stanhope · Aug 25, 2026
05Data center ban2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe Environmental Commission asked the council for a Chapter 100 ordinance banning data centers; on August 25, 2026 the council discussed defining the size of such centers before a draft goes to the borough attorney.
What's on the tableThe council will decide whether to adopt a data center ban and how to define one.
- The administrator said the ordinance would only need to say that a data center is not a permitted use. Borough of Stanhope · Aug 25, 2026
- Councilman Scott Wachterhauser said he has no objection to the ordinance, even though the borough does not have the space for a data center. Borough of Stanhope · Aug 25, 2026
2 notes on these statements
Thomas J. Romano received 173 votes and Najib Iftikhar 91 in the June 2, 2026 Republican primary for two Borough Council seats. Sussex County · Jun 12, 2026
The Democrats nominated Anthony J. Riccardi; no nomination was made for the second Democratic line. Sussex County · Sep 4, 2026
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Who matches you?
Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.
1. Should Stanhope zone land for new housing with a required share of affordable units?
2. How should the borough handle rising costs in its budget?
3. Should Stanhope allow a licensed cannabis retail shop?
Key dates
- General electionSussex County · Sep 4, 2026Nov 3, 2026
The seat math
5 stay (not up this year): Tyler Simpson, Daniel Smith, Bill Thornton, Scott Wachterhauser, Gene Wronko2 on this ballot
6 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.
- The Borough Council has six members, and Gene Wronko is mayor. Borough of Stanhope
- Council members are elected to three-year terms. Borough of Stanhope · Jan 6, 2026
- The terms of Thomas Romano and Anthony Riccardi expire December 31, 2026. Borough of Stanhope
- Republicans hold a 4-2 majority on the Borough Council, with a Republican mayor. New Jersey Globe
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