State Senator, 20th Legislative District

Chairman, Union Township Municipal Committee

Senator Joe Cryan, a proud Irish-American born in East Orange, grew up in Newark’s Vailsburg section, settled and raised his family in Union Township, has dedicated his life to public service and his community holding true to the values of hard work and compassion.  A graduate of Belmont Abbey College with a degree in Business Administration, he began his career managing defense contracts at ITT Avionics before transitioning to public service.  Joe served as a New Jersey Assemblyman for the 20th District from 2002 to 2014, rising to Majority Leader and holding key leadership roles, including Chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee. After serving as Union County Sheriff, he was elected to the New Jersey State Senate in 2017, where he chairs the Higher Education Committee and co-chairs the Joint Committee on Public Schools.  Active in Irish community organizations, he is also Executive Director of the Middlesex County Utilities Authority. Senator Cryan lives in Union Township with his wife, Kathy, their dog, Scout, and enjoys family time with their four children and six grandchildren.

County Commissioner​

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Michèle S. Delisfort, a Haitian-American and lifelong Union resident, holds a B.A. in Political Science and a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University. A licensed professional planner and small business owner, she has over 20 years of experience in land use, redevelopment, and community development. She also chairs the NJ Chapter of the American Planning Association’s Redevelopment Planning Committee. Before being elected to the Township Committee, she served as Vice Chair of the Union Planning Board. Passionate about strategic, community-driven development, Michèle works to balance economic growth with residents’ needs. She is committed to responsive leadership, fostering quality-of-life improvements, and ensuring sustainable planning initiatives. An active parishioner and advocate for civic engagement, she takes pride in her hometown and remains dedicated to its progress. A wife and mother of two teenage children, Michèle looks forward to applying her expertise to benefit the Union community.

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Mayor & Township Committeeman

Mayor James Bowser, elected to the Township Committee in 2022 and appointed Mayor this year, has long been dedicated to public service in Union. A Newark native, he holds Bachelor's and Master’s degrees in Industrial Engineering from NJIT and has lived in Union for 29 years. His leadership journey began as a district leader and Planning Board Chairman before serving on the Township Committee. As Mayor, Bowser is focused on leveraging Union’s strengths—its diversity, strategic location, and high-quality public services—while enhancing community development and infrastructure.

Deputy Mayor & Township Committeeman

Deputy Mayor Joe Florio has served on the Township Committee since 1997, including four terms as Mayor. A 46-year Union resident, he has been deeply involved in community service, from the Planning Board to youth recreation programs. He has played a key role in major township projects, including the senior center, new train station, and public safety enhancements. As a longtime advocate for flood mitigation efforts and infrastructure improvements, Florio continues to serve Union with dedication. A retired UPS Senior Director of IT, he brings leadership and strategic insight to his role.

Township Committeeman

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Manuel Figueiredo has been committed to enhancing the quality of life in Union since joining the Township Committee. As Mayor from 2022 through 2024, he has prioritized public safety, launching the S.P.E.E.D. traffic enforcement initiative in 2022 to protect pedestrians and motorists. He has also championed community projects, including the new Union Public Library set to open this fall and improvements to parks and sports complexes like Rabkin Sports Complex. Working closely with local, county, and state officials, he continues to drive beautification and development efforts. Mayor Figueiredo and his wife, Rosa, have four children, all graduates of the Township of Union Public School System.

Township Committeewoman

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Patricia Guerra-Frazier has spent 23 years as an educator dedicated to fostering student growth and development. Known for her enthusiasm and creativity, she prioritizes strong communication with parents and adapts instruction to meet individual student needs. She actively collaborates with fellow educators to refine curricula and implement engaging teaching strategies. Guerra-Frazier now looks forward to bringing her experience in education and teamwork to the Township Committee, ensuring a collaborative and constructive approach to community service.


 

Township Committeewoman

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Sandra Terrell is a results-driven leader bringing her expertise in operational strategy and efficiency to the Union Township Committee. With a strong background in collaboration and cross-functional teamwork, she excels at developing solutions that enhance organizational performance. Her ability to synthesize complex information and streamline processes makes her a valuable addition to local governance. Terrell is committed to fostering productive relationships and implementing initiatives that drive meaningful community progress.