Jim Cahill
Democratic · NJ · Mayor of New Brunswick
New Brunswick mayor since 1991 and a lifelong city resident. Cahill has focused on redevelopment that brings in tax revenue and new housing, and on public safety, including a larger police force.
Where Jim Cahill stands, based on their records
Supports
Public Safety and Crime Control (1 record), Civil Rights (1 record)
Mixed record
Government Spending Reduction (1 support · 2 oppose)
Track record
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 1 support · 2 oppose
Announced unpaid, temporary furloughs of city workers in departments shut by COVID-19, including the library, recreation, youth services, and the senior center. Workers kept health insurance and seniority.
April 17, 2020Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: patch.com
Had his administration prepare an $84 million 2015 city budget that raised the average homeowner's tax bill by $147. It paid for 15 more police officers and cut Planning Department salaries by about a third.
March 18, 2015Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: newbrunswicktoday.com
Got a 50% raise in his office's salary budget in the 2012 city budget, from $255,577 to $382,727, partly to add a scheduling aide. The $76.1 million budget raised the average homeowner's tax bill about $75.
July 19, 2012Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: newbrunswicktoday.com
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 1 support
Had his administration prepare an $84 million 2015 city budget that raised the average homeowner's tax bill by $147. It paid for 15 more police officers and cut Planning Department salaries by about a third.
March 18, 2015Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: newbrunswicktoday.com
Track record — Civil Rights
Civil Rights · 1 support
Joined Dreamers, clergy, and local leaders at a rally outside New Brunswick City Hall. They urged state lawmakers to pass bills (A-4743/S-3229) letting qualified drivers get licenses regardless of immigration status.
September 9, 2019Supports Civil Rights
Source: insidernj.com
Track record — General
General · 5 records
Praised the start of construction on the new Nokia Bell Labs headquarters at the HELIX NJ research hub, calling it a defining moment for New Brunswick as a hub for research and jobs.
August 26, 2025
Source: jerseydigs.com
Received Middlesex College's L'Hommedieu Award, given to a graduate of the college, at its fall convocation. The college cited his public service as mayor since 1991.
August 25, 2025
Source: middlesexcollege.edu
Kept his seat as mayor in the November 2022 election, beating independent Charlie Kratovil and Republican Maria Powell in the unofficial count.
November 8, 2022
Source: patch.com
Won an eighth term as mayor, beating independent Charlie Kratovil 4,995 votes to 1,480 (about 77% to 23%) in the unofficial count.
November 6, 2018
Source: patch.com
Said in a public statement that his administration had welcomed all residents as they are for over 25 years, whatever the political climate. He spoke after the city said it was not a sanctuary city and that its police follow federal immigration rules.
February 6, 2017
Source: patch.com
Past race Jim Cahill ran in:
- Mayor · November 3, 2026 · New Brunswick city, New Jersey · incumbent