Women Make History as Woodbridge Council, School Board Reorganize for 2026
All-female council leadership elected as Board of Education retains officers after reorganization ceremonies
Sharon McAuliffe (left) and Lizbeth DeJesus were elected president and vice president of the Woodbridge Township Council, marking the first time the council has been led by two women at the same time. (Image created by The Central Jerseyan. Official portraits provided by Woodbridge Township.)
January 7, 2026
Woodbridge’s two top governing bodies reorganized Tuesday evening, with the Township Council making history by electing an all-female leadership team and the Board of Education retaining its president and vice president after incumbents were sworn in for new terms.
The Woodbridge Council convened Tuesday night for its annual reorganization meeting, where six re-elected council members — five ward representatives and one at-large member — were sworn in after winning re-election in November.
Council members unanimously elected Sharon McAuliffe as council president and Lizbeth DeJesus as vice president for 2026.
The nominations drew strong support from colleagues. Councilman Brian Small, nominating McAuliffe, praised her responsiveness to constituents and advocacy for improvements in Sewaren, including bringing a holiday Christmas tree to the community and working on waterfront amenities.
“She has worked hard with the administration on creating a safer school zone when it comes to the speed on Amboy Avenue,” Small said.
Councilman Virbhadra Patel seconded the nomination with an extended tribute, recalling how McAuliffe filled the seat left vacant by the late Councilwoman Nancy Drumm.
“We wondered who could possibly fill her shoes,” Patel said. “Well, we were relieved with some enthusiasm when our mayor announced Sharon’s name.”
In remarks following her swearing-in, McAuliffe said she was “honored by this opportunity” and pledged to “lead with the same integrity, dedication, and strong leadership demonstrated by those who have served before me.” She emphasized her commitment to keeping Woodbridge “a welcoming and thriving destination to live, dine, shop, and enjoy all the entertainment that we provide throughout our township.”
The vice president nomination was equally emphatic. Councilman Howie Bauer, nominating DeJesus, cited her “unwavering dedication to the residents” over eight years and her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and the period of social unrest following the death of George Floyd. He praised her focus on “quality-of-life issues such as housing, children, local businesses, women’s rights, and minorities.”
Councilman Kyle Anderson seconded, calling DeJesus “a true servant of the people.” He highlighted her work with the Rush Street School PTO, her support for girls’ sports, and her advocacy for the Latino community.
“Lizbeth has been a voice for those who are often too unheard,” Anderson said. “Her advocacy is grounded in respect, unity, and a belief that Woodbridge is strongest when everyone has a seat at the table.”
DeJesus became emotional during her remarks, noting that for the first time in her decade on the council, her mother administered the oath of office.
“When we came here in 1981, my mom came as a single mom… without speaking a word of English,” DeJesus said. “My mom was present, never missed a meeting at school, was always there with us. So she’s the force behind me.”
She then underscored the historic nature of the evening.
“I don’t know if you know this, but we just made history tonight by being, for the first time ever, a council with a woman president and a woman vice president,” she said.
Her comments drew applause from the chamber.
Mayor John McCormac congratulated the council and pointed to the results of the November election, noting that all six council incumbents on the ballot were re-elected with more than 60 percent of the vote.
“This was a very difficult fall… We had to put up with a lot,” McCormac said. “These meetings got tense. A lot of things were said that were simply not true. But the bottom line is, all six of the people we had running got more than 60 percent of the vote.”
“That says something,” he added. “The people in Woodbridge are happy with the job that you’re doing for them, and I’m proud to be on the same team as you.”
DeJesus closed her remarks by stressing that the council serves the entire township.
“The nine of us here… any concern, any idea, anything, you can come to any of us at any time,” she said. “Yes, I am Hispanic, but I do represent all of Woodbridge Township — all of our residents.”
Earlier Tuesday evening, the Woodbridge Board of Education held its own reorganization meeting. Four board members were sworn in after winning re-election: Jonathan Triebwasser, AJ Sedona, and Vincent Coughlin for three-year terms, and Stephan Lally for a two-year term.
New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin administered the oath of office to both his son, Vincent Coughlin, and Stephan Lally, drawing attention both for the family connection and for the speaker’s own roots in local school governance.
Coughlin said the moment was especially meaningful, noting that his public service career “began on the board of education in South Amboy.” He called his son “a terrific person, a deeply caring person, and somebody who will make Woodbridge a better place.”
The speaker also praised Lally, whom he said he has known since Lally volunteered in his legislative office as a high school student.
“This is a special young man, somebody who’s wise beyond his years,” Coughlin said. “He’s incredibly funny, but is somebody who gets serious things done and makes a real difference.”
New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin addresses the room at the Woodbridge Board of Education reorganization meeting before administering the oath of office to his son, Vincent Coughlin. (Woodbridge TV)
Mayor McCormac also attended and administered the oath to Triebwasser, noting the township’s strong relationship with the board and highlighting the upcoming construction of a new school in Woodbridge.
“We’re one of them building schools these days,” McCormac said, “and we’re putting it in an area that very sorely needs a school.”
Following the swearing-in, board members unanimously re-elected Susan Bourdin as board president and Jonathan Triebwasser as vice president, keeping the board’s leadership unchanged for another year.
Bourdin thanked her colleagues, saying, “I believe that Jonathan and I have worked very well together the last six months, and I look forward to the next year.”
After completing routine organizational business, the board adjourned without extended public comment or debate.