William Fahoury, above, will run uncontested for mayor in the Roselle Park Republican primary.
ROSELLE PARK, NJ — The local Republican Party has endorsed a sitting 3rd Ward councilman for mayor in what is slated to be a three-way race in the borough.
William Fahoury, 26, is a decorated Marine and lifelong resident who was elected 3rd Ward councilman in 2017. He’s set to graduate from Seton Hall University in May with a degree in history and a minor in political science. He previously earned an associate’s degree in science.
“Roselle Park is my home and I want to serve my community in the way I served our country — with dedication, commitment and honor,” Fahoury said in a statement.
“The Marine Corps has shown me how to treat people fairly and to better ourselves for the common good. Roselle Park is at a fork in the road. I want to be a part of a team to take it in the right direction, to devote our attention on issues that matter the most: taxes, improved business development and a positive image for our town that encourages investment and families to consider Roselle Park as a place to live, raise a family and start a new business.”
Fahoury said he enlisted in the Marines while still attending Roselle Park High School and was deployed to Afghanistan, Japan and the Philippines. He was awarded seven medals and accommodations during his four-year career in the military.
Fahoury will run uncontested in the June primary.
The local Democratic Party endorsed 30-year-old Joe Signorello III, a newcomer to politics, over Democratic incumbent Carl Hokanson last month. Hokanson said he plans to run as an independent in the November general election.
Republicans currently have the majority on the six-member council in Roselle Park, which has an estimated 13,600 residents. The current councilman at large is a Republican, as are the representatives of Wards 1, 3 and 5.
The local Republican Party also endorsed incumbent 5th Ward Councilman Thos Shipley and Richard Graves, a newcomer, for the 2nd Ward. Graves, 50, served as chairman of the Recreation Committee for three years and was also an employee at the local Department of Public Works, according to Larry Leone, chairman of the Roselle Park Republican Municipal Committee.
The local Democratic Party, meanwhile, has endorsed 2nd Ward Councilman Joseph Petroksy for re-election and Robert Mathieu for 5th Ward councilman.