Robert Graham
Democratic · NJ · Plainfield City Council Member, First Ward
Graham chairs the city’s Public Safety Committee and serves on economic development, recreation and technology committees. He is the council’s liaison to the Special Improvement District.
Where Robert Graham stands, based on their records
Supports
Environment and Public Health (11 records), Housing Affordability (3 records), Social Programs and Welfare (1 record),
Opposes
Government Spending Reduction (7 records)
Track record
Track record — Environment and Public Health
Environment and Public Health · 11 support
Voted to prohibit data centers citywide, citing water, electricity and noise impacts (MC2026-24). Passed 6-0.
August 10, 2026Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted to support the state Climate Superfund Act, charging major fossil-fuel companies for climate damage (R296-25). Passed 6-0.
August 11, 2025Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted to join the state program financing commercial clean-energy property improvements (MC2025-08, C-PACE). Passed 7-0.
March 10, 2025Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted to apply state salt-storage protections to privately owned storage sites (MC2024-54). Passed 7-0.
October 15, 2024Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted to update stormwater rules for development to meet state runoff and drainage standards (MC2024-48). Passed 7-0.
September 9, 2024Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted to require lead-paint inspections for covered rental homes (MC2024-23). Passed 7-0.
May 13, 2024Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Moved and voted for a ban on making, selling or advertising illicit THC products (MC2024-18). Passed 7-0.
April 8, 2024Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Moved and voted for tree-removal permits and replacement requirements to limit runoff and protect community health (MC2024-17). Passed 7-0.
April 8, 2024Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Urged the state to station a housing inspector in Plainfield after unsafe apartments displaced tenants.
September 11, 2023Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: cbsnews.com
Voted to adopt flood-hazard maps and flood-protection rules, with a city floodplain administrator (MC2023-06). Passed 7-0.
April 10, 2023Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted to accept $1.6 million for lead removal and cleanup (R071-23). The resolution passed 7-0.
January 23, 2023Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 7 oppose
Voted for the $119,578,399 municipal budget after initially voting against the budget amendments (R319-26 and R320-26). Final passage was 5-0.
September 14, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Moved and voted for $1,250,000 in solid-waste utility improvements, including $1,190,000 in borrowing (Bond1291). Passed 6-0.
August 10, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted for $500,000 in sewer-line improvements, including $476,000 in borrowing (Bond1292). Passed 6-0.
August 10, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted for $10,483,460 in city capital improvements, including $4,985,264 in borrowing (Bond1290). Passed 6-0.
August 10, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted for $300,000 in parking-utility capital improvements, including $285,600 in borrowing (Bond1293). Passed 6-0.
August 10, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted to raise each council member’s annual salary from $25,000 to $40,000 (MC2025-47). Passed 5-2.
December 8, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted to accept $1.6 million for lead removal and cleanup (R071-23). The resolution passed 7-0.
January 23, 2023Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Track record — Housing Affordability
Housing Affordability · 3 support
Moved and voted to allow accessory homes alongside a primary home under new lot-size and building rules (MC2026-33). Passed 7-0.
October 13, 2026Supports Housing Affordability
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted for owner-occupancy and permit requirements for short-term rentals to preserve housing stock (MC2026-27). Passed 6-0.
September 14, 2026Supports Housing Affordability
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted for developer fees dedicated to low- and moderate-income housing (MC2025-27). The ordinance passed 6-0.
August 11, 2025Supports Housing Affordability
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Track record — Social Programs and Welfare
Social Programs and Welfare · 1 support
Voted for developer fees dedicated to low- and moderate-income housing (MC2025-27). The ordinance passed 6-0.
August 11, 2025Supports Social Programs and Welfare
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Track record — Public Infrastructure
Public Infrastructure · 4 support
Moved and voted for $1,250,000 in solid-waste utility improvements, including $1,190,000 in borrowing (Bond1291). Passed 6-0.
August 10, 2026Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted for $500,000 in sewer-line improvements, including $476,000 in borrowing (Bond1292). Passed 6-0.
August 10, 2026Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted for $10,483,460 in city capital improvements, including $4,985,264 in borrowing (Bond1290). Passed 6-0.
August 10, 2026Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted for $300,000 in parking-utility capital improvements, including $285,600 in borrowing (Bond1293). Passed 6-0.
August 10, 2026Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Track record — General
General · 10 records
Voted to appoint Robin Bright to the vacant Third Ward council seat (R342-26). Passed 6-0.
September 30, 2026
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted for a redevelopment study of 1023-39 South Avenue and 1020-1110 North Avenue (R333-26). The motion failed 3-3.
September 14, 2026
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted to require periodic financial reports on long-term developer tax exemptions (MC2026-31). Passed 6-0.
September 14, 2026
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted to require advance release of council agendas, resolutions and supporting materials (MC2026-23). Passed 6-0.
August 10, 2026
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted for flood-mitigation reports and public accountability requirements (MC2026-22). Council passed the ordinance 7-0.
July 13, 2026
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted to authorize acquiring 700-10 West Seventh Street for an emergency operations center, including through eminent domain (MC2026-17). Passed 7-0.
July 13, 2026
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted to raise the mayor’s annual salary from $85,000 to $115,000 (MC2025-46). Passed 5-2.
December 8, 2025
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Was elected council vice president for 2024 by a unanimous council vote.
January 7, 2024
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted to create a Department of Sewer and Solid Waste, replacing the former sewer-utility structure (MC2023-28). Passed 7-0.
September 11, 2023
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Voted to remove contribution-disclosure statements from the land-use code (MC2023-18). The repeal passed 6-1.
July 10, 2023
Source: plainfieldcitynj.iqm2.com
Past race Robert Graham ran in:
- 1st Ward Council Member · November 3, 2026 · Plainfield city, New Jersey · incumbent