I’m Deb Engel and I am running for At Large County Commissioner. It’s time for independent and ethical leadership in Essex County.

My priorities:

Tackle the affordability crisis: housing, grocery, utility, and fuel prices are sky high and tax payers are bearing the burden. As commissioner, I will work to identify pathways to more shared services within our county. Let’s get municipalities talking with each other and working together to address common needs and create more efficient spending of your tax dollars. Under my leadership in Maplewood, we unified our public health offices and fire departments across our two towns, and I want to bring this work to the county level.

Access to healthcare: I don’t have healthcare right now because I just can’t afford the crippling costs. As commissioner, I will work to connect our communities with the range of services Essex County offers, like vaccinations, well checks and screenings. Let’s be more intentional and proactive about providing access to services that will benefit the lives of Essex County residents. This includes the families impacted by what’s happening at Delaney Hall. The county can and should be doing more to support the families of those detained and the volunteer effort on the ground.

Improve infrastructure in our ever-changing world: I have a proven track record for creating complete streets, and I want to bring this vision to the county level. Imagine walkable and dynamic town villages, dedicated bike lanes connecting our towns, a robust public transit system, and electric vehicle infrastructure that’s easily accessible. We are also challenged by 100 year storms that come much more frequently than 100 years. Storm water flooding doesn’t stop at town borders, so let’s get the county working together to find real solutions.

Champion small businesses: I’ve opened two small businesses of my own and incubated over 30 more. Small business owners are our neighbors, who are also struggling with the cost of rent, goods, and insurance. Essex County can and should be doing more to support small business growth, and as commissioner I will work to identify ways the county can meaningfully uplift our local small businesses and help them thrive.

Independence and transparency: I’m running as an Essex Reform Democrat because I believe we need more accountability, transparency and fairness in our politics and policies. Essex County has a budget of $916 million dollars, with ~20% coming from our tax bill as county residents. I believe we all should have a clear understanding of how our money is being spent, how decisions are being made, and by whom. I’m not afraid to ask hard questions, challenge the status quo, and will be guided only by my conscience in service of the people of Essex County.