Warren County New Jersey Democratic Party

Experienced. Principled. Ready to Lead. Democratic Candidates for Phillipsburg Town Council Put Community First

 

This year’s Democratic slate for Phillipsburg Town Council brings together four dedicated public servants with the experience, integrity, and commitment to move Phillipsburg forward: Keith Kennedy, Lee Clark, Bernie Fey, and Joshua Wanisko. With a strong record of public service and community leadership, each candidate shares a common goal: building a safer, stronger, and more connected Phillipsburg.

 

Keith Kennedy and Lee Clark are seeking reelection after four years of steady, solutions-focused service on the Town Council. Despite serving in the minority, they delivered real results. Together, they secured funding for the Phillipsburg Free Public Library, kept the police department fully staffed, invested in new public safety technology like ShotSpotter, and helped stabilize town finances by creating new revenue sources. Keith led the effort to launch the Phillipsburg Farmers Market, which has brought new energy to the downtown area and created opportunities for local businesses and families alike. Both pushed back against decisions that lacked transparency and stood firm in keeping local control in local hands.

 

Keith Kennedy, born and raised in Phillipsburg, retired in 2019 after 36 years of service in the New Jersey Department of Corrections. A respected mentor and community leader, Keith has coached Steele Hill youth sports for many years, teaching young people the importance of integrity, perseverance, and teamwork. His calm, consistent leadership on council reflects his lifelong commitment to service. For Keith, public office is not about politics, but about giving back to the town that shaped him.

 

Lee Clark is a program manager and community organizer focused on environmental justice and equity in New Jersey’s underserved communities. Though not born in Phillipsburg, Lee has made it his home and has become one of its most committed advocates. He has served on the Phillipsburg Housing Authority, the Warren County Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, and the South Main Street Alliance Steering Committee. Lee also teaches Speech Communication as Critical Citizenship at Kean University, where he emphasizes the role of public dialogue in civil society. His appointment to Town Council in 2020 marked a historic milestone as the first African American to serve on the governing body. Since then, he has continued to advocate for transparency, responsible development, and a local government that listens to the people it serves.

 

Phillipsburg native Bernie Fey currently serves on the Phillipsburg Board of Education and previously held a seat on Town Council from 2010 to 2017. He has served on a number of community boards, including the Firth Youth Center, the Phillipsburg Senior Center, the Sewer Authority, and the Building Education Support Team (BEST). For 27 years, Bernie has worked alongside his father and brother at Fey Fire Protection, the family’s Phillipsburg-based business. He has also been an active volunteer in local youth sports, with nearly three decades of coaching football and over a decade coaching baseball and softball. Bernie is a strong advocate for preserving the town’s historic character while promoting safe neighborhoods, responsible growth, and practical solutions to local challenges.

 

Joshua Wanisko, a current member of the Phillipsburg Board of Education, brings a professional background in leadership consulting. At Korn Ferry, he evaluates top-level executives in the public and private sectors. His work has reinforced the importance of real expertise, ethical leadership, and independent thinking in decision-making. In addition to his professional and school board work, Josh is a member of the Phillipsburg Rotary Club, a former trustee of the Phillipsburg Free Public Library, and a director of the Friends of the Library nonprofit. He is running to raise the standard for local leadership and restore trust in town government.

 

The Democratic team is united by a shared belief in responsible, community-first leadership:

We believe expertise matters.

We believe integrity matters.

We believe dedication matters.

We believe that showing up matters.

 

Together, Keith, Lee, Bernie, and Josh offer Phillipsburg voters a clear choice: proven leadership, principled service, and a commitment to building a town that works for everyone.