The mayor of Weehawken is Richard F. Turner, who has held the seat since 1990 and won his tenth term in May 2022. He leads a five-member Township Council under a council-manager form of government, which means an appointed municipal manager runs daily operations while the mayor presides over the council and represents the township publicly. The next mayoral election is scheduled for the second Tuesday of May 2026.
Richard Turner’s Tenure
Turner succeeded former Mayor Stanley Iacono in 1990 and has won every election since, running unopposed in several cycles.1Weehawken Township. Mayor and Council Before and during his time as mayor, he worked on the operational side of municipal government, including service as a township manager and as a director for public agencies. That administrative background is unusual for a role that is largely legislative and ceremonial, and it helps explain his longevity in a seat that pays only a modest stipend.
What the Mayor Actually Does
Weehawken operates under Council-Manager Plan C of the Optional Municipal Charter Law, commonly called the Faulkner Act.2Township of Weehawken, NJ. Township of Weehawken Code – Administrative Code The governing body is a five-member council that sets policy, adopts ordinances, and controls the budget. The mayor is one of those five members, elected at large by every voter in the township rather than chosen by fellow council members.3New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. New Jersey Code 40:69A-1 – Optional Municipal Charter Law The other four seats include two at-large positions and three ward seats; the current Deputy Mayor represents the 1st Ward.1Weehawken Township. Mayor and Council
The mayor presides at all council meetings and votes on legislation with the same weight as any other council member.4Township of Weehawken, NJ. Township of Weehawken Code – Administrative Code – Section: Functions, Powers and Duties of the Mayor Outside meetings, the mayor is the township’s public face at official functions.
What the mayor cannot do is often more important than what the title suggests. The mayor has no veto over council decisions, no unilateral authority to hire or fire department heads, and no direct control over the budget. The municipal manager, appointed by the council, is the chief administrative officer who oversees department heads and prepares the annual budget for council approval.3New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. New Jersey Code 40:69A-1 – Optional Municipal Charter Law Under state law, statutes that refer to a “mayor or other executive head” are read as referring to the manager in this form of government, not the mayor. The mayor’s practical influence comes from setting the agenda, building consensus among council members, and public visibility.
When Weehawken Elects Its Mayor
Weehawken holds nonpartisan municipal elections every four years on the second Tuesday in May. No party labels appear on the ballot. The next election is in May 2026.5Hudson County Clerk. 2026 Hudson County Election Calendar The mayor is elected at large, so every registered voter in the township votes for the seat regardless of ward.
Under Plan C of the Faulkner Act, the winning candidate’s four-year term begins on July 1 following the election, with a short transition period after the Hudson County Clerk certifies the results.3New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. New Jersey Code 40:69A-1 – Optional Municipal Charter Law
Running for the Seat
To appear on the ballot for mayor, a candidate must be at least 18 years old, a registered voter in Weehawken, and a resident of the township for at least one year before the election.6State of New Jersey. NJ DOS – Division of Elections – Register to Vote Candidates file a nominating petition and, because the election is nonpartisan, do not run in a party primary.
All candidates for municipal office in New Jersey must file campaign finance disclosure reports with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. A single candidate who spends $6,900 or less can use simplified forms; higher spending triggers detailed pre-election and post-election reports. Individual contributions to a candidate committee are capped at $5,500 per election, and political committees can give up to $17,300.7New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. Campaign Finance Compliance Manual
Because the election is nonpartisan, federal employees covered by the Hatch Act can generally run for mayor without violating federal restrictions on partisan candidacy. A nonpartisan race can be reclassified as partisan based on the circumstances, such as accepting party funding or campaigning on a party affiliation, so federal employees should confirm the election’s status with the local board of elections before filing.8Department of Defense. 2026 Hatch Act FAQs Less Restricted
Contacting the Mayor’s Office
The mayor’s office is at 400 Park Avenue, Weehawken, NJ 07086. The main township phone number is (201) 319-6005. Current council members, meeting schedules, and individual contact information are posted on the township website.1Weehawken Township. Mayor and Council