Red Bank, New Jersey is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The governing body consists of a mayor and a borough council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 157. The borough form of government used by Red Bank, the most common system used in the state, is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask" , New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Accessed November 30, 2014."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 3, 2015.
Mayors
Billy Portman (D) 2023–present. Term Expires: June 30, 2027.Mayor and Council , New Jersey Globe. Accessed March 26, 2025. Pasquale Menna (D) 2006–2022.Mayor and Council , Borough of Red Bank. Accessed January 22, 2017. Edward J. McKenna, Jr. (D) 1991 to 2006.Hon. Edward J. McKenna, Jr., Esq., Rutgers University. Accessed October 29, 2018. Michael Arnone (R) 1979 to 1990.NJ Legislature (archived), Internet Archive. Accessed October 29, 2018. Daniel Joseph O'Hern (D) 1969 to 1978.Interview with Daniel J. O'Hearn, Monmouth County Library. Accessed October 29, 2018.Red Bank Register Nov. 4, 1970, Red Bank Register Nov. 4, 1970. Accessed October 30, 2018.Red Bank Register Nov. 4, 1974, Red Bank Register Nov. 6, 1974. Accessed October 30, 2018. He also was a former Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, where he served from August 6, 1981 until his retirement on his 70th birthday."Justice O'Hern Celebrates 70th Birthday and Retirement from NJ Supreme Court" , New Jersey Supreme Court press release. Accessed June 4, 2008. John P. Arnone (R) 1967 to 1968. Benedict R. Nicosia (D) 1961 to 1966. George A. Gray (R) 1957-1960Red Bank Register, Nov. 8, 1956, Red Bank Register, Nov. 8, 1956. Accessed October 29, 2018.Red Bank Register, Nov. 6, 1958, Red Bank Register, Nov. 6, 1958. Accessed October 29, 2018. Katharine Elkus White (D) 1951 to 1956. She was a Democratic Party politician and diplomat, who served as chairwoman of the New Jersey Highway Authority from 1955 to 1964. She also served as the United States Ambassador to Denmark from 1964 to 1968. Charles R. English, 1931-1950.Red Bank Register, Nov. 5, 1930, Red Bank Register, Nov. 5, 1930. Accessed October 30, 2018.Red Bank Register, Nov. 9, 1950, Red Bank Register, Nov. 9, 1950. Accessed October 30, 2018. O. E. Davis, c. 1903.
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