Council in Bergen, New Jersey

2026 Primary Election

• Curtis R. Mcauliffe — Deputy Executive Director in Bergen, NJ

  Curtis R. Mcauliffe is preparing for a run for Council in Bergen County, New Jersey, in the 2026 primary election. A committed Democrat, he currently serves as the Deputy Executive Director for the Democratic Committee of Bergen County, demonstrating his deep engagement with local political leadership and party objectives. This role underscores his dedication to public service and community representation within the county. Mcauliffe also has prior administrative experience, having served as a Confidential Secretary within Bergen County from 2022 to 2023. His combined experience in party leadership and county administration positions him as a knowledgeable candidate ready to address the needs of Bergen County residents.

• Claire A. Padovano — Incumbent Council Member in Maywood, NJ

  Claire A. Padovano is an incumbent Council Member for the Borough of Maywood, New Jersey, where she has served since being elected in November 2015. A Republican, she was sworn into office by her husband, former Mayor Gregg Padovano, and successfully challenged a Democratic incumbent in her initial run. She is a mother to four children: Grace, Rose, Grant, Emily, and Garrett. Padovano has consistently expressed her dedication to working hard for the people of Maywood, acknowledging the commitment required for the role and expressing gratitude for the community's support.

• Keith Soriano — Retired Senior Detective in Maywood, NJ

  Keith Soriano is a seasoned law enforcement professional with a distinguished career spanning nearly three decades in Bergen County, New Jersey. He served as a Senior Detective at the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office from 1988 to 2015, specializing in technical operations, electronic surveillance, global tracking, and covert entries. Although retired from his extensive detective role, Soriano remains actively engaged with the law enforcement community, regularly attending events and expressing interest in veteran mentorship and traffic safety initiatives. He is based in Maywood, New Jersey.

• Michael A. Trepicchio Jr.. — Business Development Professional in Bergen, NJ

  Michael A. Trepicchio Jr. is a business development professional at Columbia Bank in New Jersey. He is a prominent community leader, serving as Chairman of the Board of Advisors for the Meadowlands Chamber, an organization with over 1,200 members. His extensive volunteer commitments include being President of the Bergen County Historical Society and Chairman and Commissioner for the Historic New Bridge Landing Park Commission. Dedicated to youth development, he also serves on the boards of Highlands Travel Baseball, Hohokus Saddle River Junior Football, Northern Highlands Junior Football, and Hohokus Saddle River Travel Baseball. Additionally, he is a member of the Saddle River Historic Preservation Commission.