The Measure of a Person

Candidate for Bernards Township Committee

I would like to share why I admire Vanathi Raghupathy. Political campaigns can reveal a great

deal about a person. Campaigns test and reveal your character, your principles, your resilience,

and your willingness to keep moving forward when the outcome is not what you hoped it would

be. Vanathi revealed herself to be no only an outstanding candidate but more importantly, a good

and selfless person, running for the right reasons. That is why I admire Vanathi Raghupathy.

I was proud to campaign alongside Vanathi during this year’s Republican primary in Bernards

Township. After a careful and open screening process, we were both selected by the Bernards

Township Republican Municipal Committee to be the endorsed Republican candidates for

Township Committee. Vanathi and I vigorously campaigned together, making public

appearances, knocking on doors, canvassing together, and speaking with residents about the

future of the community we both love.

But what impressed me most was not simply that Vanathi was an excellent candidate. It was how

she ran her campaign, demonstrating both courage and a thoughtful intelligence. I was

particularly impressed when she appeared before the full Township Committee and shared her

recommendations on how to deal with the massive property tax increases facing Bernards. We

need people like Vanathi who will bring new ideas and diversity of thought to bear on the

challenges we face.

Vanathi understands that public service should be about solving problems and improving

people’s lives, not seeking attention or advancing personal ambition. She also possesses

something increasingly rare in politics: the ability to hold firm convictions without losing her

kindness. Vanathi demonstrated that strength and civility are not opposites. You can stand for

what you believe while still treating those who disagree with you, with respect, as neighbors.

Although the results were quite close, and the primary did not end as we had hoped, the result

does not diminish what Vanathi accomplished or the contribution she made to the public

conversation in Bernards. She earned the respect and support of many Bernards residents

because they recognized her intelligence, character, and sincere desire to serve. By that measure,

Vanathi Raghupathy is an extraordinary winner. I believe Vanathi has a bright political future and

I hope she continues in this endeavor.

I was honored to stand beside Vanathi as her running mate, and I remain grateful for the

friendship we developed along the way. Her ideas, values, and vision for Bernards will continue

to influence me as I move forward.