jackson's embattled interim mayor files papers to run for full term in 2026

Jackson Interim Mayor Jennifer Kuhn Files to Run for Full Term in November Election

Jackson, NJ — Jackson Township’s interim mayor has taken the next step toward keeping the town’s top elected position, with Jennifer L. Kuhn officially filing campaign paperwork with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission to run for mayor in the November 3, 2026 election.

The filing, received by the commission on June 9, establishes Kuhn’s single-candidate committee, “Kuhn for Jackson Township,” and formally launches her bid to remain mayor beyond her interim appointment. Kuhn currently serves as Jackson Township’s mayor after being appointed by the Township Council in October 2025 following the resignation of former Mayor Michael Reina.

Filing Marks Transition From Interim Mayor to Candidate

The campaign registration documents show Kuhn seeking the office of mayor in Jackson Township for the November general election. The filing was submitted as a nonpartisan candidate committee and was recorded by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission at 12:36 p.m. on June 9.

According to the paperwork, the committee is operating under the name “Kuhn for Jackson Township.” Theresa Velardi is listed as treasurer and chairperson for the campaign committee. Velardi is the wife of former Jack Ciattarelli campaign manager Erik Arpert, who was also the campaign manager for Councilmembers Mordechai Burnstein, Giusseppe Palmeri, and Nino Palmeri.

Kuhn’s filing represents the first formal step required under New Jersey campaign finance law for candidates seeking elected office and allows the committee to begin raising and spending campaign funds in support of her candidacy.

From Appointment to Election Campaign

Kuhn assumed the mayor’s office in October 2025 when the Township Council selected her to fill the vacancy created by Reina’s resignation.

The election is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.

Weird Allegations

In February, Kuhn made a false, libelous, and slanderous allegation against Shore News Network Editor Phil Stilton over a video depicting an extremely one-sided physical fist fight between the mayor and allegedly her sister-in-law inside her own home. Kuhn posted on Facebook that Stilton “blackmailed” her over the video. Stilton was given the video by Kuhn, while Shore News Network provided media consultancy and advertising services for the township.

“She asked me what people in town would think if this video ever got out,” Stilton said. “I told her it probably wouldn’t make a difference, and in reality, since she appears to be the victim, in a very bad way, it would probably garner her sympathy. That was the extent of our conversation on the matter, ever. This blackmail claim that remains on the NJ.com website is completely kooky.”

Stilton’s only communications with Kuhn over that incident involved her public perception should the other party in the video release it. Stilton never spoke about the matter again with Kuhn and calls her claim an ‘outright sladerous lie’ to try to hurt the credibility of the business which had recently featured several investigative reports on the mayor.

“That video is public record,” Stilton said. “It’s an OPRA-qualified document that was provided to our company under the township contract. Let alone, when the mayor said this happened, it had been months since our last communication. This is nothing more than another political attack against free speech by out-of-control politicians in New Jersey who want to silence the media. We haven’t spoken since December. This is an unhinged reaction to something that only happened in her mind.”

“She said she was going to file charges, which is also a lie, because it never happened,” he added. “I would welcome these charges at any time so I can properly clear my name from this power-hungry person who will say anything and do anything to win an election.”

Key Points

• Jennifer Kuhn officially filed campaign paperwork on June 9 to run for Jackson Township mayor.

• Kuhn currently serves as interim mayor after being appointed in October 2025.

• The election for mayor is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.

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Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

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