Verona Councilwoman Christine McGrath is running as a Democrat for an at-large seat on the Essex County Board of Commissioners in the Nov. 3 general election.
McGrath, a two-term council member and former deputy mayor, said she wants to bring her local government experience to the county level. "At a time of rising costs and federal funding cuts, Essex County needs transparent leadership that understands local challenges and ensures our communities receive the representation and resources they deserve," McGrath said in a questionnaire response to the Short Hills Sentinel.
She said she would focus on proactive communication about how county tax dollars are spent, closer collaboration between county and local governments on safety, roads and parks, and fiscal oversight to protect taxpayers.
"I want to be an advocate and partner on the ground, bringing county and local government together to keep our communities safe, affordable, and thriving," McGrath said.
Candidate information
- Party: Democratic
- Office sought: Essex County Commissioner, at-large
- Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
- Hometown: Verona (grew up in Montville, New Jersey; moved to Verona 16 years ago)
- Family: Married to husband Jess for 26 years; two sons, one in college and one in high school
- Education: MBA, New York University Stern School of Business; bachelor's degree, University of Pennsylvania
Experience and public service
McGrath was first elected to Verona's five-member, nonpartisan Town Council in May 2019 and won reelection in May 2023. She served as deputy mayor from 2021 to 2023.
McGrath said she spent nearly 15 years in employee benefits and strategic planning before entering public office. She held roles at Aetna, Pfizer and Towers Perrin.
After leaving the workforce to care for her two children, she took on several nonprofit and volunteer leadership roles. She served as president of the Junior Woman's Club of Verona, spent seven years on the board of the Human Needs Food Pantry of Montclair and led the Friends of the Verona Public Library and its renovation advocacy effort. She also served five years as Essex County co-lead for Moms Demand Action, a gun violence prevention group, and co-founded Verona Fights Hunger Week, an annual effort supporting food-insecure families in the region.
On the issues
The following responses are drawn from McGrath's questionnaire answers and her campaign platform.
Government transparency: McGrath said she would bring proactive communication to the county board to ensure residents know how their tax dollars are spent. She cited her council record of communicating directly with residents and seeking their input on local government decisions.
Infrastructure and public safety: She said she would strengthen collaboration between county and local governments to keep neighborhoods safe and maintain roads and parks.
Fiscal responsibility: McGrath said she would prioritize fiscal oversight to protect taxpayers during challenging economic cycles.
Gun violence prevention: McGrath has been designated a "Gun Sense Candidate" by Moms Demand Action in each of her three elections, according to her campaign website.
Endorsements
McGrath has received endorsements from Gov. Mikie Sherrill, the Essex County Democrats, the Sierra Club, Moms Demand Action, Everytown for Gun Safety, the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, the Essex County Education Association, CWA District 1, 32BJ SEIU, the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association and Elect Women NJ, among others.
