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==Government== ===County government=== [[File:The Union County Courthouse prior to 1900.jpg|thumb|The Union County Courthouse prior to 1900]] [[File:File-UnionCoCourtHouse.JPG|thumb|[[Union County Courthouse (New Jersey)|Union County Courthouse]] in [[Elizabeth, New Jersey|Elizabeth]]]] Union County is governed by a nine-member [[Board of County Commissioners]]. The members are elected [[at-large]] in partisan elections to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with three seats coming up for election each year. The board sets policies for the operation of the county. The Commissioners perform the county's legislative and executive functions. In their legislative role, they formulate and adopt a budget and set county policies and procedures. In their executive role, they oversee county spending and functioning. Many of the administrative duties are delegated by the Board of County Commissioners to the County Manager. Each of the commissioners serves on various committees and boards as a part of their duties. These include committees on Economic Development, Parks and Recreation, and Public Works and Policy. In addition, the board oversees the county's Open Space Trust Fund. Day-to-day operation of the county and its departments is supervised by an appointed County Manager, Edward Oatman.<ref>[http://ucnj.org/county-manager/ Office of the County Manager], Union County, New Jersey. Accessed October 21, 2018.</ref> In 2016, freeholders were paid $30,692, while the Freeholder vice chairman received $31,732 and the Freeholder chairman had an annual salary of $32,773.<ref>Gallo Jr., Bill. [http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/03/how_much_your_county_freeholders_others_in_nj_earn.html "Which N.J. county freeholders are paid the most?"], [[NJ.com]], March 11, 2016. Accessed October 25, 2017. "Commussioner chairman: $32,773; the vice chair: $31,732; Others: $30,692"</ref> The County Manager is Edward Oatman.<ref>[https://ucnj.org/county-manager/ County Manager], Union County, New Jersey. Accessed May 20, 2022.</ref> No Republican has been elected to countywide office since 1995. Union County is governed by a [[Board of County Commissioners (New Jersey)|Board of County Commissioners]], whose nine members are elected [[at-large]] to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis with three seats coming up for election each year, with an appointed County Manager overseeing the day-to-day operations of the county. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members.<ref>[http://ucnj.org/ Home Page], Union County, New Jersey. Accessed May 20, 2022.</ref> {{As of|2025}}, Union County's County Commissioners are (with terms for Chair and Vice-Chair ending every December 31):<ref name="Commissioners">[https://ucnj.org/commissioners/Commissioners], Union County, New Jersey. Accessed December 7, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://ucnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-Budget-Adoption-State-Format.pdf#page=4 2022 County Data Sheet], Union County, New Jersey. Accessed May 20, 2022.</ref> {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Commissioner ! Party, residence, term |- | Chair Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded | D, [[Westfield, New Jersey|Westfield]], 2027<ref>[https://ucnj.org/commissioners/commissioner-kimberly-palmieri-mouded/ Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded], Union County, New Jersey. Accessed May 20, 2022.</ref> |- | Vice Chair Lourdes M. Leon | D, Elizabeth, 2026<ref>[https://ucnj.org/commissioners/commissioner-lourdes-m-leon/ Commissioner Lourdes M. Leon], Union County, New Jersey. Accessed May 20, 2022.</ref> |- | James E. Baker Jr. | D, [[Rahway, New Jersey|Rahway]], 2027<ref>[https://ucnj.org/commissioners/commissioner-james-e-baker-jr/ Commissioner James E. Baker Jr.], Union County, New Jersey. Accessed May 20, 2022.</ref> |- | Joseph Bodek | D, [[Linden, New Jersey|Linden]], 2026<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wildstein |first=David |date=December 15, 2022 |title=Joe Bodek elected Union County Commissioner |url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/local/joe-bodek-elected-union-county-commissioner/ |access-date=December 15, 2022 |website=New Jersey Globe |language=en-US}}</ref> |- | Michele Delisfort | D, [[Union Township, Union County, New Jersey|Union Township]], 2026<ref>[https://ucnj.org/commissioners/commissioner-angela-r-garretson/ Commissioner Dr. Angela R. Garretson], Union County, New Jersey. Accessed May 20, 2022.</ref> |- | Sergio Granados | D, [[Elizabeth, New Jersey|Elizabeth]], 2025<ref>[https://ucnj.org/commissioners/commissioner-sergio-granados/ Commissioner Sergio Granados], Union County, New Jersey. Accessed May 20, 2022.</ref> |- | Bette Jane Kowalski | D, [[Cranford, New Jersey|Cranford]], 2025<ref>[https://ucnj.org/commissioners/commissioner-bette-jane-kowalski/ Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski], Union County, New Jersey. Accessed May 20, 2022.</ref> |- | Alexander Mirabella | D, [[Fanwood, New Jersey|Fanwood]], 2027<ref>[https://ucnj.org/commissioners/commissioner-alexander-mirabella/ Commissioner Alexander Mirabella], Union County, New Jersey. Accessed May 20, 2022.</ref> |- | Rebecca Williams | [[Democratic Party (United States)|D]], [[Plainfield, New Jersey|Plainfield]], 2025<ref>[https://ucnj.org/commissioners/chair-rebecca-williams/ Chair Rebecca Williams], Union County, New Jersey. Accessed May 20, 2022.</ref> |} Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are: {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Office ! Party, residence, term |- | County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi | D, [[Westfield, New Jersey|Westfield]], 2025<ref>[https://unioncountyvotes.com/about-the-county-clerk-joanne-rajoppi/ County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi], Union County Votes. Accessed May 20, 2022.</ref><ref>[http://coanj.com/member-list/clerks/ Clerks], Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed May 20, 2022.</ref> |- | Sheriff Peter Corvelli | D, [[Kenilworth, New Jersey|Kenilworth]], 2026<ref>[https://ucnj.org/sheriff/about-the-sheriff/ Sheriff Peter Corvelli], Union County Sheriff's Office. Accessed May 20, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://coanj.com/member-list/sheriffs/ Sheriffs], Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed May 20, 2022.</ref> |- | Surrogate Christopher E. Hudak | D, [[Clark, New Jersey|Clark]], 2027<ref>[https://ucnj.org/surrogate/ Office of the Union County Surrogate], Union County, New Jersey. Accessed December 7, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://coanj.com/member-list/surrogates/ Surrogates], Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed December 7, 2022.</ref> |} Union County constitutes Vicinage 12 of the [[New Jersey Superior Court]] and is seated at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth, with additional facilities also located in Elizabeth; the Assignment Judge for Vicinage 12 is Karen M. Cassidy.<ref>[https://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/courts/vicinages/union.html Union Vicinage], New Jersey Courts. Accessed October 23, 2017.</ref> Law enforcement at the county level includes the Union County Police Department, the Union County Sheriff's Office, and the Union County Prosecutor's Office. Union County's Acting Prosecutor is Michael A. Monahan.<ref>[http://ucnj.org/prosecutor/about-us/meet-the-acting-prosecutor-michael-a-monahan/ Meet the Acting Prosecutor Michael A. Monahan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928040516/http://ucnj.org/prosecutor/about-us/meet-the-acting-prosecutor-michael-a-monahan/ |date=September 28, 2018 }}, Office of the Union County Prosecutor. Accessed October 21, 2018. "Michael A. Monahan was sworn in as Acting Prosecutor of Union County on January 31, 2018."</ref> ===Notable events in county government=== In 2023, Union County agreed to honor the site in North Jersey of what local activists described as [[New York Conspiracy of 1741#Alleged burnings in New Jersey|the public execution by burning at the stake of three enslaved New Jerseyans in 1741]].<ref>Crowley-Hughes, Andrea. [https://www.tapinto.net/towns/westfield/sections/union-county-news/articles/activist-asks-union-county-to-memorialize-black-people-burned-at-stake-in-1741 "Activist Asks Union County to Memorialize Black People Burned at Stake in 1741"], [[TAPinto]] Westfield, March 29, 2023. Accessed June 24, 2023. "'In 1741, as the antislavery movement gained momentum and slave rebellion increased, white hysteria over rumors of a slave uprising led to the 'burning at the stake' of three blacks at the site of the present Union County Courthouse,' Washington writes."</ref> In 2023, the county worked to revise its logo, which has had what has been described as the only county seal in the nation that depicts a woman being killed. The logo depicted [[James Caldwell (clergyman)|Hannah Caldwell]] being shot by a British [[light infantry]]man during the [[Battle of Connecticut Farms]].<ref>Hutchins, Ryan. [https://www.nj.com/news/2011/07/union_county_seals_portrayal_o.html "Union County officials battle activist over use of controversial county seal"], ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', July 10, 2011. Accessed March 29, 2023. "The seal depicts the shooting death of Elizabethtown’s Hannah Caldwell during the Revolutionary War, said to be an assassination carried out by a British soldier. Her death was a flashpoint that turned many wavering Jerseyans against their occupiers and ignited fury across the colonies.... One thing that is clear, according to Shallcross, is that it’s one of a kind. 'Out of thousands and thousands of county seals, it’s the only one that portrays a murder,' he said."</ref><ref>[[:File:Seal of Union County, New Jersey.png|Seal of Union County, NJ]]</ref> In 2023, Union County moved to revise its county seal, asking residents to participate in an online poll to choose between two alternatives, both of which eliminate the depiction of Caldwell's death.<ref>Kudisch, Brianna. [https://www.nj.com/news/2023/03/county-seal-depicting-womans-murder-is-out-as-nj-officials-unveil-2-options-for-redesign.html "County seal depicting woman’s murder is out as N.J. officials unveil 2 options for redesign"], NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], March 28, 2023. Accessed March 29, 2023. "Union County officials are changing the county’s seal — which currently depicts a murder of a woman during the Revolutionary War — and asking the public for input on the redesign. Two options for the new seal were unveiled on the county website on Monday. Residents are encouraged to vote in an online poll before April 24 to help select the new seal."</ref> In 2022, controversy erupted over the county's deletion of negative social media comments made about the opening of Tëmike Park, an LGBTQ-inclusive playground, in [[Cedar Brook Park]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tapinto.net/towns/westfield/sections/union-county-news/articles/union-county-responds-to-hateful-comments-on-pride-event-facebook-post|title=Union County Responds to Hateful Comments on Pride Event Facebook Post|website=TAPinto}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://patch.com/new-jersey/cranford/hate-comments-union-co-pride-post-prompt-county-response|title=Hate Comments On Union Co. Pride Post Prompt County Response|date=June 27, 2022|website=Cranford, NJ Patch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goleader.com/4978/|title=Inclusive Park Sparks Debate Over Acceptance, Free Speech|date=June 29, 2022}}</ref> In 2022, a state court found the county illegally circumvented the public bidding process in awarding contracts for the construction of a proposed Union County government building in Elizabeth.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/politics/2021/12/an-inside-game.html|title=Was politics in play when public bidding laws were cast aside for a $123.8M project?|first=Ted Sherman | NJ Advance Media for|last=NJ.com|date=December 12, 2021|website=nj}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tapinto.net/towns/westfield/sections/union-county-news/articles/after-latest-setback-in-court-union-county-may-seek-alternative-to-build-its-complex|title=After Latest Setback in Court, Union County May Seek 'Alternative' to Build its Complex|website=TAPinto}}</ref> In 2015, the county was forced to pay legal fees after losing a trademark claim it brought against a frequent county government critic who used the County of Union seal on her blog.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://reason.com/volokh/2015/01/09/the-government-as-trademark-tr/|title=The government as trademark troll: Union County (N.J.) hit with $40K bill in First Amendment case|date=January 9, 2015 }}</ref> In 2011, an investigation found mismanagement of county funds in association with MusicFest, a free annual concert.<ref>{{cite web |title=Union County MusicFest organizers lost track of concert money |url=https://www.nj.com/news/2011/08/union_county_musicfest_organiz.html |website=[[NJ.com]] |date=August 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329151714/https://www.nj.com/news/2011/08/union_county_musicfest_organiz.html |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |url-status=live |last1=Hutchins |first1=Ryan}}</ref> In 2009, following a First Amendment challenge by the [[American Civil Liberties Union]], the county commissioners agreed to issue a public apology for cutting off speech by a resident who was addressing the board about possible nepotism on the county payroll.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/news/2009/08/union_county_freeholders_will.html|title=Union County freeholders will publicly apologize to man who questioned county hiring practices|first=Michael Rispoli/The|last=Star-Ledger|date=August 20, 2009|website=nj}}</ref> === Federal representatives === Four [[New Jersey's congressional districts|Congressional District]]s cover the county, including portions of the 7th, 8th, 10th and 12th districts.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/leg-cong-district-info/2012-congressional-districts-by-county.pdf 2012 Congressional Districts by County], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections. Accessed October 2, 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-congressional-districts/njcd-2011-plan-components-county-mcd.pdf Plan Components Report], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 23, 2011. Accessed October 2, 2013.</ref> {{NJ Congress 07}} {{NJ Congress 08}} {{NJ Congress 10}} {{NJ Congress 12}} === State representatives === The 21 municipalities of Union County are represented by four legislative districts. {| class="wikitable" |+ !District !Senator<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=New Jersey Legislature - Legislative Roster|url=https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/roster.asp|access-date=April 29, 2021|website=www.njleg.state.nj.us}}</ref> !Assembly<ref name=":0" /> !Municipalities |- |[[New Jersey's 20th legislative district|20th]] |[[Joseph Cryan]] [[Democratic Party (United States)|(D)]] |[[Reginald Atkins]] (D) [[Annette Quijano]] (D) |[[Elizabeth, New Jersey|Elizabeth]], [[Kenilworth, New Jersey|Kenilworth]], [[Roselle, New Jersey|Roselle]], and [[Union Township, Union County, New Jersey|Union Township]]. |- |[[New Jersey's 21st legislative district|21st]] |[[Jon Bramnick]] [[Republican Party (United States)|(R)]] |[[Michele Matsikoudis]] (R) [[Nancy Munoz]] (R) |[[Berkeley Heights, New Jersey|Berkeley Heights]], [[Garwood, New Jersey|Garwood]], [[Mountainside, New Jersey|Mountainside]], [[New Providence, New Jersey|New Providence]], [[Springfield Township, Union County, New Jersey|Springfield Township]], [[Summit, New Jersey|Summit]], and [[Westfield, New Jersey|Westfield]]. The remainder of this district covers portions of [[Morris County, New Jersey|Morris County]], Middlesex County, and [[Somerset County, New Jersey|Somerset County]]. |- |[[New Jersey's 22nd legislative district|22nd]] |[[Nicholas Scutari]] (D) |[[James J. Kennedy]] (D) [[Linda S. Carter]] (D) |[[Clark, New Jersey|Clark]], [[Cranford, New Jersey|Cranford]], [[Fanwood, New Jersey|Fanwood]], [[Linden, New Jersey|Linden]], [[Plainfield, New Jersey|Plainfield]], [[Rahway, New Jersey|Rahway]], [[Roselle Park, New Jersey|Roselle Park]], [[Scotch Plains, New Jersey|Scotch Plains]], and [[Winfield Township, New Jersey|Winfield]]. The remainder of this district covers portions of Somerset County. |- |[[New Jersey's 28th legislative district|28th]] |[[Renee Burgess]] (D) |[[Garnet Hall]] (D) [[Cleopatra Tucker]] (D) |[[Hillside, New Jersey|Hillside]]. The remainder of this district covers portions of Essex County. |} ===Law enforcement=== [[File:Union County Sheriff's Office 2021.png|thumb|Union County Sheriff's Office]] The Union County Sheriff's Office is located in [[Elizabeth, New Jersey]]. It is currently headed by Peter Corvelli. It was headed by Ralph Froehlich, a Union resident who was first elected in 1977 and served in office for 37 years, making him the longest-serving [[Sheriff]] in New Jersey history.<ref>Haydon, Tom. [http://www.nj.com/union/index.ssf/2014/07/ralph_froehlich_longest-serving_sheriff_in_nj_history_was_told_in_1970s_hed_never_win_re-election.html "Ralph Froehlich, longest-serving sheriff in NJ history, was told in 1970s he'd never win re-election"], NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], July 22, 2014. Accessed March 22, 2017. "For 13 terms and 37 years, Froehlich presided over the Union County Sheriff's Office, developing programs that helped protect children and victims of domestic violence, fighting for tougher gun-control laws and working to save money by consolidating services. ... Froehlich, the longest-serving sheriff in New Jersey history, died Sunday night at Trinitas Hospital in Elizabeth after a battle with cancer, county officials said."</ref> There are two top deputies, known as undersheriffs, and they are Dennis Burke and Amilcar Colon. A 1981 investigation of the Union County Jail reviewed issues relating to overcrowding, escapes, escape attempts and suicides in the detention facility.<ref>Parisi, Albert J. [https://www.nytimes.com/1981/08/23/nyregion/suicide-sparks-union-county-jail-inquiry.html?&pagewanted=all "Suicide Sparks Union County Jail Inquiry"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', August 23, 1981. Accessed October 2, 2013.</ref> On July 1, 2021, the Sheriff's Office regained control of the Union County Jail and made it a division within the organization; the Division of Corrections. The New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 108 is the official [[labor union]] and the collective bargaining agent for the Sheriff's Officers of Union County. This body is subdivided into Local 108 for the line officers and Local 108A for the supervisors (sergeants, lieutenants, and captains). [[File:Union County Sheriff's Office DOC 2021.png|thumb|Union County Sheriff's Office - Division of Corrections]] [[File:Ucpp.jpg|thumb|Union County Park Police]] The Union County Police Department operates independently of the Sheriff's office. The Union County Police Department originally began as the Union County Park Police. The Union County Police are tasked with patrolling Union County's properties. They also supplement the local municipalities with police presence and patrol when requested.<ref name=Police>[https://ucnj.org/public-safety/division-of-police/ Division of Police], Union County, New Jersey. Accessed July 3, 2023. Martin H. Mogensen, Chief of Police"</ref> Martin Mogensen has been the Chief of Police since February 2023.<ref>Crowley-Hughes, Andrea. [https://www.tapinto.net/towns/westfield/sections/union-county-news/articles/union-county-police-chief-retires-with-pension-amid-internal-affairs-probe "Union County Police Chief Retires With Pension Amid Internal Affairs Probe"], [[TAPinto]] Westfield, February 10, 2023. Accessed July 3, 2023. "Following Debbie's retirement, patrol division Capt. Martin Mogensen is the designated officer in charge of the Union County Police Department, a spokesperson for the county said."</ref> The Union County Police have several divisions and are relied upon for their multiple services. Currently assigned are Patrol, Detective Bureau, Emergency Services Unit, and the Marine Unit. Union County Regional 911 and Dispatch is one of the many services that the County Police provide. They are the primary PSAP for multiple municipalities, provide police/fire/EMS dispatch, dispatch medics, and Union County Fire Mutual Aid. The PD belongs to the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association, Local 73.<ref>{{cite web |title=Union County Division of Police |url=https://ucnj.org/public-safety/division-of-police/ |website=Union County, New Jersey |date=March 3, 2014 |access-date=2024-11-05}}</ref> {{clear}}
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