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Bergen County Board of Commissioners {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

The Bergen County Board of Commissioners (formerly known as Freeholders) consists of seven members who serve three year staggered terms. They serve as the legislators for the county. They give advice and consent to the actions of the county executive. The board provides a check on the executive s powers and acts as a formulator of policy. Its powers include the ability to:Adopt the county s administrative codePass ordinances and resolutionsReview, modify, and adopt operating and capital budgetsContract with municipalitiesIn 2025, three members will be elected at large.

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    Mary Amoroso
    (Dem)

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    Jeffrey "Jay" Costa Jr.
    (Rep)

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    John Dinice
    (Rep)

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    Germaine M. Ortiz
    (Dem)

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    Andrea Slowikowski
    (Rep)

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    Thomas J. Sullivan
    (Dem)

Biographical Information

Why do you want to serve on the Board of Commissioners? What will be your highest priority as a Board member?

What do you consider the most important challenges facing Bergen County and what personal and professional experiences have prepared you to address these challenges?

What policies, if any, would you support to increase the amount of affordable housing in Bergen County?

What actions, if any, would you support in Bergen County to reduce the negative effects of climate change?

Slogan Democratic Committee of Bergen County
Education BA, New York University
Qualifications/Experience As a County Commissioner since 2017, I have worked with my colleagues to strengthen the quality of life for Bergen County families – significantly increasing investment in education, launching new programs like our new countywide emergency medical team to improve response times and keep our residents safe, starting the first age-friendly task force in the state to ensure seniors can live thriving, independent lives in the communities they love, revitalizing our beautiful parks with new amenities and exciting attractions, and so much more. I previously served on the Mahwah Town Council. Before entering public service, I spent decades as a reporter and editor for The Bergen Record and hosted a talk show on CN8. 
Employment Former Reporter
I proudly serve the County of Bergen and I am seeking re-election to continue our efforts to create and sustain an inclusive, for-the-people government. I have worked to make life more affordable, improved services for seniors and veterans, invested in education and our parks, repaired our roads and bridges, and made it a priority to protect open space and our environment. This is a critical election that will determine the direction of Bergen County. In my next term, I aim to advance the County’s Energy Action Plan, protect access to mental health and social services, and continue investing in sustainable infrastructure. Bergen County has a bright future and I’m eager to keep us moving forward with great schools, safe communities, and opportunity for all.

One of the greatest challenges facing Bergen County is protecting the services people count on every day. From health care and senior programs to education and housing assistance, these supports strengthen families and communities, yet they are being threatened by funding cuts at the federal level. My years as Commissioner have shown me how vital these programs are to residents. I am committed to safeguarding the services we have, improving access where we can, and making sure Bergen County remains a place where everyone can thrive.
I support housing policies that expand options for seniors, young adults, and working families, especially in areas with good access to transit, jobs, and services. However, new housing has to be planned responsibly. Overdevelopment that outpaces schools, roads, and infrastructure only creates more problems for our residents. With smart planning, Bergen County can expand housing opportunities, strengthen its economy, and ensure that people who contribute here are able to remain part of our communities.
Environmental challenges in Bergen County are increasingly driven by climate change. We have experienced stronger storms, rising flood risks, and stress on outdated infrastructure. As Commissioner, I have supported nature-based flood mitigation, NJDEP climate resilience efforts along the Hackensack River, and critical stormwater upgrades. I remain focused on implementing our Energy Action Plan to reduce emissions, transition to electric vehicles, expand renewable energy, and invest in green infrastructure to protect our communities and our future.
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Slogan Democratic Committee of Bergen County
Qualifications/Experience Since 2016, I’ve been honored to serve on the Bergen County Board of Commissioners, working to expand education, cut costs through shared services, build a first responder training center, and maintain fiscal strength with a perfect Aaa bond rating. In 2019, I became the first Latina Chairwoman of the Board. My public service began in 1999 on the Palisades Park Board of Education, followed by the City Council, the Bergen County Utilities Authority, and 12 years as a Bergen Community College Trustee. In 2020, I chaired the Complete Count Committee, leading Bergen County’s most successful Census in 20 years. Professionally, I bring 20+ years on Wall Street, rising to Vice President at Dinsmore Capital Management.
I want to continue serving on the Board of Commissioners because it has been an honor to represent the residents of Bergen County and to use my experience in both public service and finance to make a meaningful impact. Over the years, I have worked to put people first, ensuring that our policies and investments strengthen communities, support families, and improve quality of life across the county. As a Board member, my highest priority will be to continue promoting fiscal responsibility while making strategic investments in areas that matter most to our residents—such as public safety, education, infrastructure, and access to vital services. I believe that by managing county resources wisely and advocating for programs that uplift our communities, we can keep Bergen County a place where all families have the opportunity to thrive.
One of Bergen County’s key challenges is promoting growth while ensuring all residents have equitable access to resources. We must strengthen infrastructure, support small businesses, expand affordable housing, and protect vulnerable populations—including seniors, working families, and those in need of social services—while maintaining fiscal responsibility. With 20+ years of Wall Street experience in fiscal management and years of public service on local boards, councils, and as a Trustee at Bergen Community College, I understand how government decisions affect daily life. Since joining the Board of Commissioners in 2016, I’ve prioritized transparency, putting people first, and using both financial expertise and community experience to build a stronger Bergen County for every resident.
Affordable housing is one of the most pressing needs in Bergen County, and I strongly support policies that expand access while striking a balance with responsible development. I would advocate for increased partnerships with municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and developers to create mixed-income housing opportunities, making sure that new projects are thoughtfully integrated into our communities. We must continue to strengthen programs that help seniors, veterans, and working families find safe and stable housing. By taking a collaborative approach and aligning resources, we can ensure that Bergen County remains a place where people of all backgrounds and income levels can prosper.
Climate change is already affecting Bergen County, through flooding, extreme weather, and rising energy costs-and we must act with urgency. The County has taken key steps, including investing in stormwater management, expanding green spaces, and prioritizing sustainability in facilities. Most importantly, we launched the Bergen County Energy Action Plan, a roadmap for cutting emissions, improving energy efficiency, and advancing renewable energy. Community engagement is also essential—through education and partnerships, residents can help reduce waste, recycle, and use greener transportation. Addressing climate change is not optional—it’s vital to protect families, homes, and businesses. By aligning resources with long-term goals, we can keep Bergen County safe, resilient, and sustainable.
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Slogan Democratic Committee of Bergen County
Education Journeyman Electrician, IBEW Trade School
Qualifications/Experience It’s been an honor to serve on the Bergen County Board of Commissioners since 2015, making sure county government works for our residents every day. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished—investing in schools, improving public safety, expanding job training, protecting seniors, supporting veterans, and keeping our roads and infrastructure strong. We’ve done it with fiscal responsibility, saving millions for taxpayers through shared services with all 70 towns. For 40 years, I’ve also been proud to be a Union Electrician with IBEW Local 164, serving as President and Assistant Business Manager, and now as President of the Bergen County Building Trades.
Employment President/Assistant Business Manager IBEW Local 164
I want to continue serving on the Board of Commissioners because I care deeply about our community and the people who call it home. County government touches so many parts of daily life from the roads we drive on, neighborhood safety, programs for seniors and veterans, and services that help families. I want to make sure those needs are met and that residents feel their county is working for them. My highest priority will be improving quality of life for all residents by keeping communities safe, making services easier to access, and making smart investments in infrastructure. My goal is to listen and ensure county government is always accountable.
One of the biggest challenges in Bergen County is making sure our infrastructure keeps up with the demands of being the most densely populated county in New Jersey. Residents and businesses rely on safe, reliable roads, bridges, and drainage systems every day, and when those systems fall short, it impacts everyone. As a union electrician and labor leader, I know what goes into construction projects and value the workers who keep us moving. I’m proud we’ve secured grants to replace outdated bridges and roads, completed drainage repairs as weather grows more extreme, and begun a study to address the Route 17 bottleneck. With my background in the trades, I’m prepared to keep pushing for solutions that improve daily life for all Bergen County residents.
I know that affordable housing is a real challenge in Bergen County, and I believe we need to find ways to create more options for people who live and work here. At the same time, it has to be done carefully, in a way that fits our communities and doesn’t overwhelm our infrastructure. I would support thoughtful approaches that help families, seniors, and young people find a place they can afford, while also making sure we protect the character of our towns. My goal is simple: to keep Bergen County a place where people can live, work, and build their lives.
Climate change is already affecting our daily lives, from stronger storms to flooding on our roads. In Bergen County, we’ve taken steps to respond, and I want to keep pushing forward. We have an Energy Action Plan to guide us, and we’re working to make our fleet of vehicles more electric so we can cut down on costs and pollution. We’ve also invested in renewable energy wherever we can. These are practical steps that make a difference, and my goal is to keep building a healthier and safer county for our residents.