City of Orange Township Municipal Election - South Ward Council in Orange, New Jersey

2026 Primary Election

• Jamie Summers-Johnson — Incumbent South Ward Councilwoman in Orange, New Jersey

  Jamie Summers-Johnson is a lifelong resident of the City of Orange Township and is the first African American woman to serve as the South Ward Councilwoman. She is a graduate of Orange Public Schools, earned a bachelor's degree from William Paterson University, and a Master of Arts in Education and Supervision from St. Peter's University. For 27 years, she has been a teacher at Ivy Hill Elementary School in Newark. On the City Council, she serves as the Chairwoman of the Housing and Business Development Committee. She is married with three sons.

• Lynval James — Candidate in Orange, New Jersey

  Lynval James was appointed to the Orange Public Works Committee in October 2017. Information regarding this candidate's education, experience, and career history is not publicly available.

• James H. Ward III — Architect, Builder, and Founder of the Seven Oaks Society in Orange, New Jersey

  James H. Ward III is an architect and builder with a career in construction development projects in New York City, including the World Trade Center and Hudson Yards. He is a professor at Columbia University. After moving to Orange, he founded the Seven Oaks Society, an organization focused on connecting the historic neighborhood with the city. He serves on the Orange Zoning Board and the board of Valley Arts NJ. He previously ran for the South Ward council seat in 2022.