Photo by Adrienne J. Romero / SOC Images.
As Bayonne prepares to enter a new chapter in city government, three candidates are vying to take the helm: Mary Jane Desmond, Loyad Booker and Sharon Nadrowski are competing in the mayoral race on May 12.
This race marks an important moment in Bayonne’s history. Former Mayor Jimmy Davis has stepped down from office after taking his new position as the new Hudson County Sheriff while the city continues to face multiple challenges, including public safety concerns, economic recovery and rising housing costs.
With so much at stake, where does Bayonne go from here?
Davis’s time in office for 12 years was marked by years of development and debate, aligned with growth and affordability, leaving Bayonne residents looking towards the candidates on the ballots.
Candidate 1A, Sharon-Ashe Nadrowski, is a mother of three children and lives in Bayonne with her husband. Nadrowski, after obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from New Jersey City University, ultimately landed an IT Department lead job at AbbVie, while also serving as an active member of WINGS (Women in Technology Business Group). Nadrowski also served the City of Bayonne as the council member-at-large and council president from 2014 to 2022.
Candidate 2A, Loyad Booker, is a lifetime resident of Bayonne, graduating from Kean University and New Jersey City University. Booker also served in the United States Army as a communication specialist in the 82nd Airborne Division, was deployed overseas and was awarded the Bronze Star and Southwest Asia Service Medal. He also served as a police officer for 25 years, and currently works for the Hudson County Public Safety Training Center, where he teaches classes in Methods of Instruction.
Candidate 3A, Mary Jane Desmond, was born and raised in Bayonne, attended local Bayonne schools and has extensive work credentials including managerial titles in multiple fields. Furthermore, Desmond has numerous certifications, such as the Certified Managed Care Coordinator and Certification in Healthcare Reimbursement Proficiency, Certificate in Supervisory Management, Certified Public Manager and the National Bookkeeper Certification.
Early voting will be happening from this Friday, May 8 until Sunday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It will be available at Bayonne City Hall, located at 630 Avenue C and Bayonne Community Museum, located at 229 Broadway. For further information, you can visit here.
For general municipal election resources in Bayonne, Weehawken and/or Union City, you can visit here.
Slice of Culture interviewed each candidate on the ballot and each had their own opinions on some of Bayonne’s most pressing matters. Read on to hear why they believe they’re the best choice for Bayonne’s future.
Sharon Nadrowski: My name is Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski, and I’m running for Mayor of Bayonne. I am running because I believe Bayonne residents deserve leadership that works for them, not outside interest. For far too long the city has been neglected and quality of life is at an all-time low. Our roads are crumbling, street streets are dirty and residents feel ignored. Bayonne residents deserve better.
Loyad Booker: My name is Loyad Booker, and I am campaigning for Mayor as part of Team Booker.
Mary Jane Desmond: My name is Mary Jane Desmond, and I am running for Mayor of the City of Bayonne. I was born and raised here. I am a single mother of three daughters and have nine grandchildren. I attended local schools and worked in the NYC financial district, healthcare and government.
I have extensive experience in the areas of administration, finance, human resources, and operations. I have a long history as a Bayonne community activist and volunteer, and I have a reputation for getting the job done. I know prudent planning of financial and human resources is important in addressing many key organizational issues. I also know that responsible leadership means careful management of human and social resources and taxpayer dollars. I have the skills needed to lead Bayonne through the complexity of the next few years. I am level-headed and even-handed.
Nadrowski: Bayonne is where I was born and raised, where I raised my family. I graduated from Bayonne high school. Many of my closest friends till this day are the friends I made right here in Bayonne. I have always been involved in the community as a child, participating in various recreation programs and as an adult volunteering in many of those same programs. Neighbors always looked out and helped each other; there was a real sense of community. As mayor I will work to strengthen our sense of community and make sure all residents have a seat at the table, and residents are included in the conversations that shape our city.
Booker: Bayonne has shaped me through a lifetime of service. I served in the military and spent 25 years as a police officer, much of that time working closely with high school students and the broader community. These experiences allowed me to build strong relationships and have a full understanding of the people in Bayonne. I continue to serve due to the connections that I have established throughout my career.
Desmond: I love this city and know many of its residents through my active participation in community groups, government, and healthcare service, and have extensive family here. I have enjoyed the strong sense of belonging, camaraderie, and interactions over the years. It has changed some, but I believe we can find ways to rebuild a sense of community with each other and trust in a public system intended to help and guide its constituents.
Nadrowski: I decided to run because I was tired of seeing lifelong friends and family being forced to leave the city they loved. I would hear repeatedly from residents how they can’t afford to stay, or the quality was declining and they just felt ignored by City Hall. I am running to give residents a voice, to make city hall accountable to the people, not special interest. To make city government proactive instead of reactive, make sure residents know how their money is being spent before it happens. To make the government work for the people.
Booker: I grew up in Bayonne and have lived here my entire life. Growing up in Bayonne was the foundation I needed to know I wanted to continue to serve. This has allowed me to get to know the community and believe in the people who live here and are invested in what is best for Bayonne and the community.
Desmond: There has been a great deal of activity in recent years, and I believe it is time to take a moment to reassess where we are, how we got here, and carefully construct what we really want our future to look like for our children. It is a good time to take full stock of development, taxation, and the need for new recurring revenue, and use a very disciplined approach to planning with both our financial and human resources.
Nadrowski: Broadway is the heart of Bayonne and too often our small business feels unsupported by city hall. Government should be a partner not a roadblock to small businesses. We need to clean up Broadway, improve streetscaping and improve lighting. We need to make getting permits and licenses easier and faster and we must stop killing local businesses with excessive fees. We need to actively help to attract business for our empty storefronts, turning parking lots into parking garages. City Hall should be promoting our business.
Booker: Yes, the plan is to have a committee established that will focus on the revitalization of Broadway. The goal is to have a group of members whose goal is to connect with small businesses and provide grants and opportunities. All this will be done while ensuring that we provide the resources that are needed to thrive and make sure that businesses stay competitive. We know that small businesses are the key to our local economy and we want to make sure that they are strong and are able to continue to thrive in Bayonne.
Desmond: Rents are high on Broadway, and many of the property owners do not live in Bayonne and are not truly invested in our city and our people. We need to change the dynamics of future development with a new Master Plan detailing special planning/special purpose districts throughout town, and bring cohesiveness to our neighborhoods, attract specific industries, merchants, and jobs, and foster economic growth. We also need to work with our Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) and Special Improvement Districts (SID 1 and soon SID 2)partners to help our small businesses with the tools they need to succeed.
Nadrowski: Yes, I will work with professionals to improve the traffic flow.
The original traffic plan required additional access roads be built which has not been done. Instead of holding the developer accountable to build the required road this current administration instead allowed the developer to make the roadway into a passive area for their development. I hold developers accountable to fulfill their commitments and make the improvements required. Public safety and quality of life will always be my priorities.
Booker: There have been two new traffic lights that have been approved and funded by the state. Having these traffic lights funded means that there will be no burden on the taxpayers, and we are expected to see installation completed by mid to late June of 2026. With these traffic lights, we hope that it will improve the traffic flow and the safety of the constituents.
Desmond: There is ongoing work on this topic. NJ DOT has said that the area does not warrant a light on more than one occasion. Recently, we found a way to pay for the light at a local level, working with the developers in that area to get this done. An engineering design was accepted, and work should begin shortly. A redesign of traffic flow is also necessary, with a proposed entrance from Rte 440 into COSTCO, leaving the current exit for the other merchants and residents to move through. The congestion is ridiculous. The roads do not align into a proper intersection. It is very frustrating and dangerous in its current condition.
Nadrowski: AI data centers have no place in Bayonne. The impact on our environment, greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution, the increase to energy bills and water usage is not smart development. We need to bring business that benefits our residents and community, not destroy our environment and quality of life.
Booker: As a council member and now candidate for Mayor, I am stressing that there will not be a data center in Bayonne. The council has made it clear that this project is not approved.
Desmond: To date, there has not been a specific development or redevelopment plan for an AI Data Center presented to the City. There was, however, a change to the Zoning to specifically state that an AI Data Center would be an allowable “use” in that specific area. THIS IS THE PROBLEM right now. The City Council unanimously voted to prohibit an AI Data Center regardless of the Zoning change. I agree, we don’t need this in our community. It certainly should not be in any densely populated area like Bayonne or Hudson County. I am aware of the very negative impact on a community and see no redeeming value in bringing anything of this nature to our city. Additionally, I have grave concerns about AI data storage or usage in general. There are not enough ethical or tangible guidelines as yet.
Nadrowski: I look forward to finally having the long anticipated 1888 studios here in Bayonne. This will be an important part of our city creating high paying jobs, offering apprenticeships for our students and bringing much needed revenue to our city. Make sure our residents have employment preferences.
We create a management system to make sure that our residents are not burdened; creating clear well-defined schedules, limits and communicating clearly and timely with residents. I will make sure that the financial benefits generated benefit all our residents and are greater than the inconveniences to our residents.
Booker: Yes, we want Bayonne to be a place where our residents feel supported, but we also have the film industry produce projects in our city. We will work to make sure that all proper systems are in place, that we keep residents informed, and work with local community members. We will make sure that any road closures and parking restrictions are shared easily and accessible to residents by using our website, social media, and alert systems.
Desmond: Traffic, transportation condition of the roads are key concerns. The extension of the NJ Transit light rail down to this area, reliable bus or jitney routes, and the introduction of another ferry stop on the west side of Bayonne would all help to cut down on car traffic to this neighborhood. We have to repave the roads, but water and sewer line work is planned. But we also need to continue to fight for the new double turnpike bridges and a truck exit off the turnpike.
Nadrowski: Yes, over the last several years Bayonne added UPS, Amazon, Costco, and Lincoln Equities to name some of the larger businesses that have opened here, we will partner with them to create training and recruitment opportunities. I am a staunch supporter of union labor and will work to insure development projects prioritize local hiring and pay prevailing wages. All city jobs will be posted, and we will have a fair hiring process.
Booker: Yes. My goal is to maintain an open-door policy with our constituents, which means establishing what I would call regular Mayoral office hours. We would work closely with state and local organizations to ensure that residents have access to job opportunities and resources during difficult times.
Desmond: I refer back to the need for a Master Plan, the need for purposeful planning, and how we entice the right industry and merchants to come to our city. We also need to work closely with our school district administrators and trades officials in planning for an economy that will sustain our families. Are our school programs aligned with practical future needs for our families?
Nadrowski: First step is to acknowledge we have homelessness in Bayonne. There are multi levels to addressing this issue first is prevention. Currently the Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation offers assistance with rent assistance for residents in danger of becoming homeless. We need to expand this program and make sure people know it is available. We need to partner with our county government to get services for our homeless and approve access for them. We must ensure access to mental health professionals and make sure our first responders are properly trained to deal with these issues. Public safety must all be a priority.
Booker: I understand that homelessness is a layered issue and is real and affects a lot of people. The goal of my administration is to make sure that we serve residents with resources and connections and make sure we can deliver results. We want to make sure that individuals have housing assistance, job opportunities, support services, access to food resources and communication with all agencies that can assist.
Desmond: We need to combine public policy, planning, and financial responsibilities to focus on creating stable, affordable housing, and again work with our school district and trade unions (apprenticeships) to ensure our students and adults are equipped with marketable skills. We must also address medical and mental health issues in connection with homelessness. Larger cities like Philadelphia and NYC tend to have large-scale models on how to deal with these issues, but we can learn and adapt to local needs.
Nadrowski: We need to establish open dialog with the BBOE. The BBOE needs to be a part of the conversion in all development projects from the beginning before any approvals. I will demand more funding for our schools in local development projects. I will use the influence of the mayor’s office to advance the goals of the district to ensure successful outcomes for our students and teachers.
Booker: Prioritizing the youth is critical, but we also need to have resources in place. By working with the Board of Education my goal is to advocate for funding to support the staff, school infrastructure, and anything that the district needs. We need to make sure that our youth have the same access and changes to grow here in Bayonne and provide the best education for their future.
Desmond: This is more complicated than may be apparent. Legislation does not make it easy for the city to ask developers for accommodations. Specifically, the statute reads that a community benefit from a developer must be within the parameters of the area being developed. For example, the development in the area known as MOTBY will not get us a school built in the first ward. Municipalities need to have much more latitude with the allocation of community benefit funds. Legislation needs to change, and there is currently some movement on this.
Also, asking for PILOT money to fund schools does not currently reap the benefit we need. What is needed is additional money over and above the current tax levy and 2% tax cap. What they get now is possibly money from PILOT funds and money from property tax levy – all of it together equals what schools were going to get anyway. It does not provide a BONUS check, and the district also needs legislation to allow for them to RECEIVE the added funds without restrictions.
Nadrowski: The people of Bayonne are our greatest asset. I am fully committed to making sure every community is represented and has a voice. We will promote inclusion and respect. I will have an open-door policy and have regular meetings with community leaders. Open communication is necessary to create opportunities for all.
Booker: Bayonne is diverse, as we see in the reflection of the growing community, and with that, I understand the importance of representation. My team is diverse; we come from diverse backgrounds, but we all have the same goal, which is to improve and make Bayonne the best it can be for its residents. We should all feel included and be represented, especially at the local level.
Desmond: Our census data, community assessments and master plan should all be tools for accommodating our residents in what they need. Modeling neighborhoods, school programs, hospital services, public safety, teacher and other professional and trade recruitments, and services will make a significant difference in helping reflect our neighborhoods and build trust and a stronger sense of community.
Nadrowski: Communication and transparency are paramount to establish trust. I will make sure residents know what is happening when it is happening. I will work to keep Bayonne affordable and our neighborhoods safe. I will partner with our state representatives to make sure Bayonne is a priority and get the support we are entitled to.
Booker: Bayonne is home, and my goal is to move the city forward by showing up for my community and those who will work with me. We have to make sure that access is for everyone, that communication is transparent, and that we continue to provide growth opportunities. That the community feels engaged to us and feels like they came to us and share concerns or ask if they are ever in need. We will work together to make sure Bayonne moves in the direction that benefits all of us, not some of us.
Desmond: (Editor’s note: Desmond provided the same answer for this question as the above)
Our census data, community assessments, and master plan should all be tools for accommodating our residents in what they need. Modeling neighborhoods, school programs, hospital services, public safety, teacher and other professional and trade recruitments, and services will make a significant difference in helping reflect our neighborhoods and build trust and a stronger sense of community.
Nadrowski: I am running for mayor because I love Bayonne and Bayonne deserves leadership that prioritizes residents. Bayonne deserves to have leadership that listens and provides transparency into how and why decisions are made.
We all know the potential of Bayonne and I know that me and my team are the right people to not only meet but to exceed that potential.
Booker: This campaign is for everyone. Bayonne is for everyone, and the goal is simple, the community comes first. We must create opportunities and continue to build a future for this amazing city we all call home.
