James Higgins enters Hopewell Borough Council race

James Higgins will appear on the November 2026 ballot as an independent candidate for Hopewell Borough Council in Hopewell Borough, New Jersey. His campaign centers on development oversight, transparency, fiscal discipline and stronger public input as the borough weighs major redevelopment and spending decisions.

Why it matters: - Higgins is pitching a council campaign built around how Hopewell Borough handles growth, housing, spending and redevelopment. - The race comes as residents weigh major municipal decisions that could shape density, traffic, infrastructure, taxes and the borough’s business climate.

What happened: - Higgins announced he will be on the November 2026 ballot as an independent candidate for Hopewell Borough Council. - Higgins said he gathered more than 40% above the required number of petition signatures in less than three weeks. - Higgins has lived in New Jersey since 1973 and in Hopewell Borough for 12 years. - He said more than three years of attending Borough Council meetings and studying local issues pushed him to run. - Higgins said residents encouraged him to seek office because of his involvement and willingness to ask difficult questions.

The details: - Higgins said his campaign supports responsible development that includes affordable housing, transparent government, fiscal responsibility, local business support and broader public participation in municipal decisions. - Higgins said Hopewell Borough can add new families, expand affordable housing, encourage redevelopment and strengthen the local economy while preserving the borough’s character and quality of life. - Higgins criticized the process around the Hopewell 57 redevelopment project, saying it lacked meaningful community engagement, transparent communication and a comprehensive review before major decisions were made. - Higgins said residents should have been engaged earlier on redevelopment issues involving density, parking, traffic, flooding, environmental impacts, infrastructure, emergency access, taxes and other long-term considerations. - Higgins said his campaign is also focused on redevelopment opportunities at the former lumberyard property on Model Avenue and the former Castoro’s property on East Broad Street. - Higgins said those sites offer a chance to use a more collaborative process and avoid repeating the concerns raised during Hopewell 57. - Higgins said the borough’s water system referendum showed the importance of citizen participation. - Higgins said he helped with the petition effort that gave residents a direct vote on a major municipal decision. - Higgins said he supports continued public discussion of the borough’s $3.2 million Department of Public Works building on land the town already owns. - Higgins said taxpayers deserve a clearer understanding of long-term costs, priorities, public benefits and financial impact.

Between the lines: - Higgins is framing himself as a check on how local government makes decisions, not as an opponent of development itself. - His pitch suggests concern that the borough has moved too quickly on major projects without enough resident input. - The campaign message also leans on small-business support, signaling an effort to connect land-use politics with downtown economic vitality.

What's next: - Higgins will seek votes in the November 2026 election as one of the borough council candidates on the ballot. - His campaign plans to keep pressing for earlier community input, tighter fiscal review and more scrutiny of redevelopment and capital projects. - Higgins said he wants future ordinances, redevelopment agreements and large spending items to face broader public review before approval.

The bottom line: - Higgins is betting that voters want a more open, more deliberate approach to growth and governance in Hopewell Borough.