West Orange November 2026 Election: Crowded Races Turn on Taxes and Development
West Orange's November municipal election is shaping up to be a big one. Six candidates are running for mayor,and five are running for two open council seats. The campaigns are being fought around property taxes, PILOT tax deals,and development pace. The outcome will shape zoning votes,and budgets,for years to come.
Who is running for mayor?
As of late July, at least six candidates had announced bids for mayor,ahead of the August 20 filing deadline. The announced field included these names.
- Susan McCartney,the incumbent,seeking a second term
- Tammy Williams,councilwoman,running for mayor
- Joyce Rudin,councilwoman,running for mayor
- Brian Rock,school board president,running for mayor
- Joe Krakoviak,a 12-year council veteran,running for mayor
- Phil Orphanidis,a former chief of staff to Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop
The council race drew five candidates for two open seats,including Jennifer Stacey Iorio,and a candidate named Bennett,per Patch reports.Certified ballots can differ from early announcements,so check the final list before voting.
Why taxes and development dominate
The themes driving this race matter to every homeowner in town. Three threads run through the campaigns.
- The 2026 budget is still unadopted.A proposed tax hike of roughly 7.26 percent drew sharp criticism,and a formal vote remained pending as of mid-August
- Several candidates want to curb 30-year PILOT tax breaks for residential developers
- Six builder's remedy lawsuits loom over housing supply,and candidates disagree on how much development is right
What the election means for homeowners,and buyers
Council,and mayoral control set the tone for zoning approvals,PILOT deals,and your annual tax bill.More housing tends to ease price pressure over time,while a slower-growth stance protects neighborhood character,but tends to keep prices high.Neither path is wrong,but they lead to different outcomes for residents,and no matter your politics,it is worth watching which way voters lean.
What to watch next
Certified candidates are confirmed after the filing deadline,and campaign finance reports will show which messages are gaining steam.Track whether the incumbent holds off two sitting councilwomen,and how the council race shifts the balance of power on PILOT votes.I will update this page through the fall as the race develops.
The bottom line
West Orange has a genuinely competitive election on its hands,with real stakes for taxes,development,and town finances.For buyers,and sellers,this race is a useful window into how the town plans to balance growth,and affordability,and neighborhood character.Election results take time to become policy,but they matter,and this one deserves a spot on your radar.
If you are weighing a move to West Orange,and want to talk through what all of this could mean for you,I am happy to walk through it.No pressure,just honest local guidance.
Sources
This story draws on reporting by Montclair Local, New Jersey Globe, and Patch (West Orange).
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I cover local real estate and development news across Bloomfield, West Orange, Montclair, and Essex County. If you hear about new construction, zoning changes, or neighborhood issues, I'd love to hear about it.