Brendan Gill

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Gill earned a B.A. in political science from Seton Hall University.[1]

At the time of his 2017 run for re-election, Gill was the president and CEO of the BGill Group. His experience also includes work as a senior advisor and the 2014 campaign manager for U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D), the 2008 campaign manager, a senior advisor, and the state director for U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D), the communications director for the New Jersey Department of Transportation, the 2006 campaign director for the New Jersey Coordinated Campaign, and the district director for U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman (D).[2]

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Campaign websiteGill's campaign website stated the following:AccomplishmentsCareer Accomplishments  Greenway initiativesI spearheaded efforts to create the Essex-Hudson County Greenway which is a nine-mile former rail line, which will be converted into a new State park connecting eight Essex and Hudson County communities – Jersey City, Secaucus, Kearny, Newark, Belleville, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, and Montclair. Countywide Complete Streets PolicyI led the adoption of Essex County’s Complete Streets policy, the first of its kind at the county level in New Jersey. The policy requires that county road and bridge projects consider the safety of drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users, not just cars. This shifted the standard for how county infrastructure is planned and designed. (Like Montclair, Essex Adopts ‘Complete Streets’ Policy | Montclair, NJ Patch) This served as a model for New Jersey’s statewide strategy, in use today.Fighting ICE detention center contracts “As I have stated on many occasions, I am against Essex County’s contract with ICE, and I am in favor of a responsible wind down of the contract.” Commissioner Gill stated, “The county’s decision to depopulate the ECCF of ICE detainees by August 23, 2021 is a positive step towards removing Essex County from the process that leads to undocumented residents enduring the criminal consequences of incarceration, due to the alleged civil offense of violating their immigration status.” (Tap Into).Resolution Endorsing the New Jersey Immigrant Trust ActI introduced the resolution that made Essex the first county legislative body in New Jersey to formally endorse the Immigrant Trust Act. The resolution urges state leaders to limit local involvement in federal immigration enforcement and to protect immigrant residents when they use county and municipal services. (Essex County Board of County Commissioners)Strengthen county level gun laws“With gun violence a persistent problem — particularly in Newark — Essex County Commissioner President Wayne L. Richardson named Gill this week to head a new Anti-Gun Violence Committee. In a state that already has among the most stringent gun regulations in the country, this new effort, Gill said, was born out of frustration with what he called “the total lack of action at the federal level” (Montclair Local).Newark Lead Pipe Replacement Financing and Union JobsAs board president, Gill led the approval of a $120 million bond ordinance to fund Newark’s full lead service line replacement. The project protected working class neighborhoods from lead exposure and generated significant construction and utility work performed by union labor. (LiUNA)Project Labor Agreement for West Caldwell School of TechnologyAs Freeholder President, Gill helped secure a project labor agreement for the $30 million renovation of the Essex County West Caldwell School of Technology, guaranteeing that the work would be done with union labor. The PLA tied a major education investment to union construction jobs, with negotiated standards on wages, safety and training for building trades workers. ($30M Facelift At W. Caldwell Tech School; Union Labor To Be Used | Caldwells, NJ Patch)Resolution on Ride Share Regulations and Fair StandardsWorking with the United Transportation Alliance of New Jersey, Gill announced and backed a county resolution supporting state level regulations for ride share services such as Uber and Lyft. The resolution called for clear rules that create a level playing field for drivers and traditional transportation workers. (Essex County Freeholder Board Passes Resolution Supporting Regulations Governing Ride-share Services)Project labor agreement for Francis A. Byrne Golf Course modernizationIn 2022, Gill supported the county’s modernization of the Francis A. Byrne Golf Course in West Orange, a project that proceeded under a project labor agreement requiring unionized labor for all course improvements. He highlighted how investments like this both bring the community together and sustain union jobs on long term public assets. (Essex County to modernize Francis A. Byrne Golf Course in West Orange)Smoke Free Parks Ordinance Gill championed an ordinance that banned smoking in all Essex County parks and recreation areas. The move positioned Essex County as an early adopter of smoke free outdoor policies and tied public space management directly to public health goals. (Freeholder Gill Ordinance Prohibiting Smoking in County Parks Passes)AffordabilityThroughout his tenure, Brendan has supported and passed county budgets, annual housing plans, and resolutions that prioritized affordability, housing stability, and economic relief, directing resources toward rent assistance, emergency services, and community-based programs that reduce financial pressure on families. As your congressman, Brendan will carry that same fight with him to Washington and get to work passing legislation to put more money in your pocket, lower energy costs, and address the rising costs of healthcare, housing, and essential goods.Previous Accomplishments:Provided Crucial Assistance with Cost of Living Issues During the Pandemic – Brendan voted to reallocate community development block grant funds to allow emergency financial assistance, rental assistance, utility assistance, non-profit and food distribution activities, ensuring families and vulnerable residents can stay housed and fed during the COVID-19 crisis.Supported Homelessness Prevention Measures and Emergency Services – Brendan backed county resolutions and funding allocations that expanded homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing, emergency shelter services, and utility assistance, using federal funds to keep individuals and families from falling into homelessness.Assisted the Passage of the Essex County Small Business Lease Emergency Assistance Grant – Brendan helped advance and support the Small Business Lease Emergency Assistance Grant, which provided grants of up to $30,000 to small businesses and nonprofits struggling to pay commercial rent – protecting local jobs, stabilizing main streets, and preventing permanent closures.Supported Measures to Make Transit More Affordable – Brendan publicly announced and supported a Corporate Transit Fee (CTF) – a tax on corporate profits over $10 million – to create a sustainable funding source for NJ Transit, prevent fare hikes, and keep public transportation affordable for working families, seniors, and commuters.Economic Development & InnovationLarge corporations exploit loopholes that let them pay lower tax rates than many small business owners — no bakery in Totowa or first-time entrepreneur in Maplewood should ever pay a higher effective rate than Amazon.He will fight to close those loopholes and create a fair tax system that rewards real innovation and hard work, not corporate accounting tricks.Too many start-ups are denied loans because they lack connections, especially minority-owned, women-owned, immigrant-owned, and first-generation businesses that are underserved by big banks.He will push to expand SBA loans, raise microloan caps, speed up applications, and provide multilingual resources so entrepreneurs can start and grow their businesses.He will support bipartisan efforts to cap excessive payment-processing fees and increase competition to reduce costs for small businesses.He will work closely with state and local leaders to target grants, align federal programs with community needs, and invest in the infrastructure that allows New Jersey’s small businesses to grow, hire, and compete.Brendan values small businesses and will fight for them. Large corporations exploit loopholes that let them pay lower tax rates than many small business owners — no bakery in Totowa or first-time entrepreneur in Maplewood should ever pay a higher effective rate than Amazon. Brendan will advocate to close those loopholes and create a fair tax system that rewards real innovation and hard work, not corporate accounting tricks. Too many start-ups are denied loans because they lack connections, especially minority-owned, women-owned, immigrant-owned, and first-generation businesses that are underserved by big banks. To give small business owners a fair chance, he will push to expand SBA loans, raise microloan caps, speed up applications, and provide multilingual resources. He will support bipartisan efforts to cap excessive payment-processing fees and increase competition, reducing costs for small businesses. Brendan will work closely with state and local leaders to target grants, align federal programs with community needs, and invest in the infrastructure that allows New Jersey’s small businesses to grow, hire, and compete.HealthcareBrendan is committed to restoring the ACA provisions that the Trump Administration weakened or removed. Premiums are rising because of policy failures, and Congress must act to fix them. The ACA is also essential for young adults under 26 who rely on their parents’ health coverage, and I will fight to protect and strengthen that guarantee.Oppose any budget proposals that cap or reduce federal Medicaid funding. He will push forward legislation that maintains Medicaid as an entitlement so coverage automatically adjusts based on need rather than arbitrary limits set by insurance companies.This protects New Jerseyans from sudden funding gaps, especially during economic downturns, when enrollment naturally rises. He will protect New Jersey’s healthcare by showing how cuts would harm seniors, people with disabilities, low-income families, and children, while also threatening hospitals, nursing homes, addiction treatment, and behavioral health services. He will also work to form bipartisan coalitions around rural hospital stability, disability support, mental-health and addiction treatment, and children’s health insurance—areas where both parties agree. If cuts proceed, he will push for temporary increases in the federal matching rate during economic or public-health crises to safeguard coverage.And he will partner closely with New Jersey’s governor, legislature, and Cabinet officials to secure waivers, bring in federal grants, strengthen ACA subsidies, modernize care delivery, and protect safety-net hospitals—ensuring no New Jerseyan loses care because of Washington politics.Brendan is committed to restoring the Affordable Care Act provisions that the Trump Administration weakened or removed, protecting young adults under 26 who rely on their parents’ health coverage as well as reducing healthcare premiums. He will oppose any budget proposals that cap or reduce federal Medicaid funding, pushing forward legislation that maintains Medicaid as an entitlement, so that coverage automatically adjusts based on need. He will work to form bipartisan coalitions around rural hospital stability, disability support, mental-health and addiction treatment, and children’s health insurance. If cuts proceed, he will fight for temporary increases in the federal matching rate during economic or public-health crises, safeguarding coverage when it matters most. By partnering closely with New Jersey’s governor, legislature, and Cabinet officials, Brendan will secure waivers, bring in federal grants, strengthen ACA subsidies, modernize care delivery, and protect safety-net hospitals. He will ensure no New Jerseyan loses care because of Washington politics.ImmigrationBrendan has a proven track-record of pushing back against federal overreach, protecting New Jersey families, and advocating for common sense immigration reforms. In Congress, he will carry that same pragmatic, value-driven approach to protect our most vulnerable residents, ensure that ICE and MAGA extremists are held to account, continue to oppose family separation, and provide the necessary oversight to fight against the weaponization of our immigration system.Previous AccomplishmentsAs County Commissioner, Brendan has implemented and supported legislation to defend civil rights, expand transparency, and put families first. Brendan has been a steadfast opponent to the Trump administration’s policy of family separation, and has consistently condemned ICE’s illegal raids and mass deportation tactics.Essex County Correctional Facility Reforms – In 2019, Brendan pushed hard for critical reforms to Essex County’s correction facilities, mandating that outdoor space be provided for detainees – as required by federal inspectors – and, in step with the ACLU of New Jersey, that the jail be overseen by a community review board. Thanks to Brendan’s efforts, that community review board – comprised of formerly incarcerated people, advocates, experts, and members of the public – holds the County Correctional Facility accountable.Legal Services for Undocumented Immigrants – Brendan also helped pass a resolution allocating $750,000 for legal services to be provided to undocumented detainees at the Essex County Correctional Facility. Those funds went to support detainees’ legal services in bond hearings, asylum/relief applications, and other immigration hearings where detainees would otherwise have had no access to legal representation.Ending Contracts With ICE – In 2021, Brendan was successful in pushing Essex County to end its agreement with ICE and prevent the County from holding non-violent undocumented immigrants who were simply awaiting court hearings.Supporting the Immigrant Trust Act – In 2025, Brendan helped pass a County resolution supporting the Immigrant Trust Act – which would help insulate immigrants from federal enforcement, curb the use of local law enforcement for federal immigration purposes, and protect access to public services to New Jersey residents, regardless of immigration status.Read more about Brendan’s accomplishments here: Essex County Commissioner Board Adopts Resolution of Support for State Legislation Prohibiting Detention Facilities from Entering Into Contracts to Detain Undocumented Residents https://www.tapinto.net/towns/newark/articles/essex-county-commissioner-board-adopts-resolution-of-support-for-state-legislation-prohibiting-detention-facilities-from-entering-into-contracts-to-detain-undocumented-residents ]Will ‘America’s best jail’ finally get real oversight? | Editorialhttps://www.nj.com/opinion/2019/03/will-americas-best-jail-finally-get-real-oversight-editorial.html After Years of Protests, a New Jersey County Ends Its ICE Jail Contracthttps://archive.is/20210501204820/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/01/nyregion/essex-ice.html Essex is ending controversial contract with ICE to hold immigration detainees in county jailhttps://www.nj.com/news/2021/04/essex-is-ending-controversial-contract-with-ice-to-hold-immigration-detainees-in-county-jail.htmlEssex County approves civilian panel to review jail housing ICE detaineeshttps://www.nj.com/essex/2019/12/essex-county-approves-civilian-panel-to-review-jail-housing-ice-detainees.html Policy ProposalsLegal immigration is crucial for the United States’ economic growth, as it fills labor gaps (andtherefore boosts GDP) supports innovation by bringing diverse skills and perspectives, aligns with America’s promise to be a land of opportunity and a melting pot, and helps address and limit the flow of illegal crossings into the United States.Once elected, Brendan will get to work in Washington putting forth and supporting legislation to:Reign in ICE’s Overreach While Securing the Border Through Investment and Modern Border Infrastructure / Technology – Securing the U.S.’s borders and enforcing immigration law is essential, but doing so does not have to violate basic human rights or decency. The Trump Administration has gone too far, violating the law by deporting U.S. citizens, detaining service members, violating basic rights of due process, terrorizing immigrant communities, and placing people in overcrowded and poorly maintained detention centers. To secure our border infrastructure and modernize our enforcement techniques with a focus on more ethical protocols, policies should be enacted that: (1) require ICE Agents to show identification, restrict the use of full face masks and unmarked vehicles, and prioritize ICE’s finite resources on the removal of criminals who actually jeopardize Americans’ safety; (2) strategically build border barriers to efficiently and effectively prevent illegal crossings; (3) hire and retain more Border Patrol Agents by providing additional pay and benefits, allowing collective bargaining, and addressing other mission-related issues such as safety and mental-health challenges; (4) invest in port infrastructure and leverage cutting edge technology to drive efficiency of fentanyl detection and combat human smuggling and drug trafficking; and (5) construct new regional processing centers along the border that may house the relevant agencies involved in processing migrants and reduce processing time.Expand & Modernize Legal Immigration Pathways – Our immigration system works best when people flow through the proper channels. To ensure that our immigration policies are able to serve our country’s needs, policies should be enacted to: (1) increase the annual number of key visas and Green Cards to enable more individuals to migrate to the U.S. legally; (2) rewrite unnecessarily restrictive quotas limiting the number of individuals immigrating from a particular country, and instead focusing on filling critical labor gaps; (3) expedite military naturalization processing to protect immigrants who have served our county in uniform; (4) boost immigration for foreign students, highly-skilled workers, and entrepreneurs; and (5) improve U.S. refugee resettlement by increasing efficiency and oversight over such programs.Legislate for a Fairer and More Humane Asylum & Refugee Policy – The situation at our southern border is driven and exacerbated by an aging and under-resourced asylum system. In order to make our asylum and refugee policy more fair, policies should be enacted that: (1) expedite the asylum process, giving asylum officers the authority to decide asylum claims – rather than force asylum seekers through a drawn out court process – reducing the asylum adjudication timeline; (2) create a heightened asylum standard and immediately provide work authorization to those who pass to ensure that only those with legitimate claims to asylum receive protection and can contribute to American society; (3) expand due process by providing children and other vulnerable populations with access to legal counsel and legal orientation; and (4) modernize the asylum process to maximize efficiency and address the immigration court backlog.Provide a Pathway to Citizenship for Dreamers – Undocumented Dreamers – immigrant residents brought to the U.S. as children – have no other home country. Congress can protect Dreamers by: (1) providing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented Dreamers and other long-term immigrant residents brought to the U.S. as children; (2) protect Dreamers at risk of “aging out” of the program due to the years long visa backlog; and (3) provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens and Green Card holders.Address the Root Causes of Migration – boosting engagement with our allies in the western hemisphere, promoting refugee and asylum resettlement in other countries, strengthening regional partnerships to combat fentanyl networks, and supporting the economic stability of our neighboring countries are all excellent ways to address migration before it has a chance to reach our borders.Social Justice PolicyImmigration & Immigrant ProtectionsBrendan knows that when immigrant residents fear interaction with government, communities are less safe, public health suffers, and crimes go unreported – undermining everyone’s security. Now, as ICE continues its brutal crackdown in Minnesota, and another person has been killed in their interactions with ICE, it’s more important than ever to elect a congressperson who has a record of protecting immigrants and putting checks on ICE to keep both citizens and immigrants safe. As a County Commissioner, Brendan has:Introduced a county resolution endorsing the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act, which recommends limiting local participation in federal immigration enforcement — a measure intended to protect immigrant residents from deportation risks when seeking county and municipal services.Advocated for ending Essex County’s contract with ICE detention services, calling detention for undocumented entry fundamentally wrong.Denounced the inhumane detention of immigrants and the violations of due process associated with immigration practices. Election IntegrityBrendan understands the importance of election integrity and has worked hard to ensure every eligible voter can participate and that every vote is counted accurately and transparently. With a President who has been willing to cheat the system and put pressure on state officials to undermine election results, New Jersey needs a member of congress who will fight for your right to vote. As a County Commissioner, Brendan has:Championed election integrity reforms in the county (e.g., transitioning to vote-with-paper ballots with verifiable audit trails) to strengthen confidence in democratic processes.Advocated forThe end of the “County Line” The adoption of a standardized, statewide ballot design.An established statewide uniformity in convention and endorsement processes.Wrote an Op Ed regarding Voting RightsViewing ballot redesign through the lens of voting rights | OpinionCivil Rights & Safety PoliciesBrendan has led the fight on local gun control and gun violence issues, passed policies to assist those suffering from homelessness, and worked to make our public spaces safer.As a County Commissioner, Brendan has:Chaired Essex County’s Anti-Gun Violence Committee and supported stronger vendor accountability for firearms sales — framed as a public safety and community protection measure.Championed policies like banning smoking in county parks and supporting public recreation spaces, linking health promotion to community well-being.Supported initiatives aimed at assisting those experiencing homelessness championed policies that make our streets safer by preventing the root cause of homelessness – economic crisis.Gender Identity & LGBTQ+ RightsBrendan has a strong record of standing up for reproductive rights, the LGBTQ+ community, and civil rights ranging from fairer immigration practices, to anti-discrimination, to voting rights.Brendan has consistently framed LGBTQ+ inclusion not as a “cultural issue,” but as a matter of public health, free expression, and equal protection under law – particularly for young people navigating identity in hostile environments. As a County Commissioner, Brendan has:Publicly condemned local efforts to ban books addressing gender identity and sexual orientation, framing such censorship as harmful to LGBTQ youth and highlighting research on how acceptance improves mental health outcomes for queer and trans teens.Backed the creation of the county’s first LGBTQ Advisory Board to help advise on community needs.Led the sponsorship of a resolution proclaiming June as LGBT Pride Month in Essex County, promoting recognition and equal rights for LGBTQ residents. Reproductive Rights & Women’s AutonomyBrendan knows that reproductive autonomy is inseparable from economic opportunity, healthcare equity, and women’s ability to fully participate in civic and professional life. He has consistently condemned the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, and advocated for a constitutional amendment to codify a woman’s right to autonomy over her own healthcare decisions.A testament to his dedication to these issues, Brendan has been endorsed by over fifty women leaders across New Jersey on issues ranging from healthcare, education, government, labor, and community advocacy.A brief selected history Of Brendan Gill’s Record of LGBTQ+ Allyship and Advocacy:Brendan Gill on Trandgender Day of Visibility 2025:https://patch.com/new-jersey/livingston/essex-county-commissioners-support-transgender-day-visibilityCommissioner Brendan Gill thanked Sebold for championing the resolution, and Reginald Bledsoe and Montclair resident Kathy Ahearn-O’Brien for their “tireless advocacy.”“Transgender and non-binary folks are our family, friends, and neighbors, and they deserve our support and respect,” Gill said.“Here in Essex County, we will not tolerate injustice and hateful acts that target members of the trans community,” Gill said. “Instead, we choose to celebrate the trans community’s joy and accomplishments.”Brendan Gill quoted by the Montclair History Center re: “Montclair Pride’s 21st Century Firsts”:https://www.montclairhistory.org/new-blog/2022/6/17/montclair-prides-twenty-first-century-firstsWhile the flag-raising was a visible sign, within the week Montclair had also passed a series of reforms addressing LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion. Commissioner Brendan Gill noted, “Montclair has had a tradition of inclusion for quite some time, but even with that tradition, we still have a lot of work to do. I can’t tell you how proud I was to see this governing body pass a series of reforms to make sure our LGBT community is not only protected, but included. We are trying to follow your lead at the county level.”Brendan Gill speaking against LGBTQ+ book ban in Glen Ridge:Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill was among the first elected officials to defend the position of the Glen Ridge Library. “Few of our rights and freedoms capture the values of this country and ensure our democracy more than the freedom of speech and expression, and few institutions should embody those values more than government-funded public libraries,” he said.  “That’s why the movement in Glen Ridge to ban books from the public library is so egregious, particularly when the subject of those books—gender identity and sexual orientation—speak directly to a person’s right and freedom to express who they are.”Gill said the movement to ban certain books poses “a direct threat to the health and safety of our young people.”“If you don’t believe that, consider this: According to a 2022 report from the Trevor Project, in the past year 40 percent of LGBTQ youth in New Jersey seriously considered suicide and 14 percent attempted it—yet the same research also shows that these statistics dramatically reverse themselves when LGBTQ youths feel accepted and supported by their families, communities and schools,” said Gill.  “Our efforts should be directed at creating these communities of support and acceptance, not trying to silence viewpoints with which we don’t agree.”Brendan Gill speaking to a crowd in Montclair at the 2024 re-raising of the Pride Flag after vandals tore down the original Pride flag:https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1205139797178157“No act like this is going to divide us. No act like this is going to separate us. In fact, it is only going to bring us closer together. So yes: words matter, actions matter, symbols matter. And we are here to affirm that, to say that, each and every day. So please know…we’ll come back, next week, if we need to, we’ll come back the week after that if we need to, to send the message that we are not going to tolerate that. We are not going to tolerate it.”Brendan Gill’s 2018 Pride Month Declaration as Essex County Commissioner:https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/essex-county-freeholder-president-brendan-gill-announces-resolution-proclaiming-june-lgbt-pride-month“I am proud to stand with our LGBT brothers and sisters in recognizing June as LGBT Pride Month, and look forward to continue working with this vibrant community to advance initiatives supporting equal rights for all,” said Gill.  “Despite the divisive rhetoric we hear coming out of the White House, in Essex County we have always sought to unite our residents in common cause and common purpose. Essex County will continue to be at the forefront of advancing equal rights for all and celebrating our difference, not using them to divide one American against another.”As a long-time supporter of the LGBTQ community, Freeholder Gill was the lead sponsor of the Essex County resolution calling on the New Jersey legislature to end state-sanctioned marriage discrimination against same-sex couples, and voted to create and appoint members to the first ever Essex County LGBTQ Advisory Board.Transportation and Infrastructure NJ-11 depends heavily on reliable infrastructure—from roads and bridges to NJ Transit and sewer systems—and much of it is aging or failing.Increasingly severe storms have devastated communities across our state, underscoring the urgent need to strengthen and modernize our infrastructure.The tunnels connecting New Jersey to New York are in critical condition, and our district cannot afford further delays in replacing them.In Congress, Brendan will fight to bring federal tax dollars back to New Jersey to invest in major projects like the Gateway Tunnel and NJ Transit upgrades.He will be sure to fund projects like the Route 24 and Columbia Turnpike interchange project for inclusion in an appropriation as recommended by the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.He will work to protect and secure the funding necessary to complete the Gateway Tunnel on time, improving safety, quality of life, and creating tens of thousands of jobs.He will champion multi-year transportation funding bills to give NJ Transit the stable, long-term support it needs—not just temporary fixes.He will push for sustainable, climate-resilient infrastructure investments, including electric buses, modern rail equipment, and flood-resistant systems, to protect our communities from worsening storms.In Congress, Brendan will restore