Two American Dreams collide in Morris County commissioner race

NAME:  Chris Russo

AGE:  47

OCCUPATION:  Specialty Business Manager at Takeda

YEARS IN CURRENT OFFICE:  Three years

EDUCATION:  Gettysburg College, Class of 2002 Major: Management Minor: Economics

ORGANIZATIONS, CLUBS, ETC., THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST:

Since 2010, I have owned and operated Superhero Events with my business partner, Heather, organizing running events and marathons throughout Morris County. Through these events, we have been able to bring people together, promote healthy and active communities, and give back through charitable races that support local causes and organizations.

Morristown Green: Why are you running for Morris County Commissioner?

I’m running for Morris County Commissioner because I believe our county deserves leadership that is accessible, transparent, and focused on making smart investments in our communities. As a Morristown Councilman and Vice President of the Council, I’ve seen firsthand how local government can make a meaningful difference in people’s everyday lives. I’ve worked directly with residents, listened to their concerns, and helped make decisions about our budget, public safety, infrastructure, open space, and the future of our community. That experience has shown me the importance of having elected officials who listen, show up, and are accountable to the people they serve.

I want to bring that same approach to Morris County. We need to be responsible with taxpayer dollars while making thoughtful investments in our roads, parks, public safety, and other essential county services. We also need to protect the open spaces and quality of life that make Morris County such a special place to live.

I’m running because I believe Morris County can be even better when county government works for every community and every resident. I want to bring my experience in local government, business, and community service to the county level and get to work for Morris County.

MG: What are your three top priorities if (re)elected?

My top three priorities would be to deliver fiscally responsible leadership that makes life more affordable for everyone, protect our open space, and to keep our communities safe and a great place to live and play.

MG: What is your proudest achievement on the (county commission / Morristown council)?

Last November, I was extremely proud that as a council we put forward a referendum to establish an open space trust fund which Morristown residents overwhelmingly supported with over 70% of the vote. This referendum and approval at the municipal level enables us as a council to invest in the open space we do have, stymie overdevelopment, make our parks more accessible and to ensure they’re maintained for generations to come.

MG: Name two times you voted against the majority on the county commission / Morristown council, and explain why.

MG: All seats on the Morris County Board of Commissioners are held by Republicans, and all seats but one on the Morristown council are held by Democrats.  Is one-party rule healthy for a democracy?  Please explain.

The current Morristown Town Council is made up of six Democrats and one Unaffiliated councilman. As a councilman, I work pragmatically with my colleagues to represent residents and deliver results, regardless of party affiliation. I believe good government depends on accountability, open dialogue, and checks and balances. While shared party affiliation can help advance a common agenda, no party should ever take its responsibility to listen to residents and consider different perspectives for granted. True leadership means putting the needs of the community ahead of partisan politics, welcoming constructive debate, and making decisions based on what is best for Morristown.

MG: The League of Women Voters offered to host a debate. Why has there been no debate?

MG: How much weight should voters give to national politics when voting locally?  How much do party labels matter locally?

I am running for County Commissioner to deliver for residents here in Morris County and to ensure county level government is appropriately utilizing their tax dollars to the best of their ability.

What is happening at the national level is important, which is why I continue to encourage people to educate themselves and to make sure they vote up and down the ticket.

MG: For Tayfun Selen:  As an immigrant yourself, how do you feel about the Trump administration’s treatment of immigrants? Did you support the proposed detention center in Roxbury?  Why / why not?

MG: For Chris Russo:  Morristown and Dover have large Hispanic communities, which include undocumented residents who use municipal and school resources. Why should taxpayers support / not support undocumented individuals?  Did you support the proposed detention center in Roxbury?  Why / why not?

MG: For Chris Russo: Your website says you will “Stop the misappropriation of funds in the Preservation Trust Fund.” Please explain; give examples.

The Morris County Board of Commissioners has failed to keep its word on open space. Morris County residents have voted six times to invest in the Open Space Trust Fund – as recently as 2025. Yet the commission funds it at about 12% of what voters authorized.

Voters approved adding stewardship of preserved land, using funds “previously collected and unexpended” (Morris County)

Once land is developed, the public may not get another chance to protect it. Preservation protects the places that define Morris County, supports working farms, helps towns deal with flooding, gives residents trails and recreation, and is the number one way for the county to stop overdevelopment. These funds were voted on to be used specifically for open space and yet they’re failing to do so.

●  The county levies 5/8 of a cent (1/4 cent for parks, 1/4 for historic preservation and 1/8 for town and nonprofit open space projects, per the county’s Preservation Trust Fund page; none is set aside for farmland or flood buyouts). That rate hasn’t changed since 2021, Selen’s first year on the board (CitizenPortal, 2024 budget presentation).
●  In 2025 the county preserved zero acres of farmland and just 12.96 acres of recreation land (2026 adopted budget, Sheet 32).
●  The fund has money it hasn’t spent. Since 1992 it has collected $514.1 million in taxes and spent $467.6 million, leaving about $46.5 million not yet spent (2026 adopted budget, Sheet 32). The commission’s own 2025 ballot question proposed using trust fund dollars “previously collected and unexpended” (Morris County).
●  In 2025 the county awarded $6.95M to three projects in a county of 39 towns. One Denville grant was $5.7M, or 82% of the total (Morris County).

As a County Commissioner, I would fight to ensure that what the voters supported is followed and that the money that has been authorized is used appropriately.

MG: For Tafun Selen: How do you respond to your opponent’s characterization of the Preservation Trust Fund?

MG: For Chris Russo: Your website says you will “Stop reckless overdevelopment.”  Some Morristown residents are highly critical of Morristown’s development, which you have voted for on the planning board.  What difference do you see between the town’s development, and the county’s?  Where has the county been reckless?

Morris County hosts diverse towns from farms out in Chester to urban areas like Morristown. I recognize that as a County Commissioner I will have to consider the needs of each community uniquely to deliver for them in ways that make sense.

By not investing in the Open Space Trust Fund appropriately, Morris County has been susceptible to flooding and overdevelopment. Both of which can be mitigated by investing and preserving open space.

The county’s own hazard plan says 1,060 Morris County homes have a history of repeat flooding. Only 100 properties in Lincoln Park, Pequannock and Denville have been bought out or elevated, and the county’s open space tax sets aside nothing for flood buyouts.

The County’s failure to intervene is putting the cost directly on the tax payer and creates further safety issues for all residents and first responders here in Morris County.

MG: For Tafun Selen:  Morristown officials have complained that Morris County government gave the town no input in the design of the new courthouse, which will dominate the skyline and landscape near the historic Green. Why weren’t town officials invited to be part of this process, which will affect Morristown for generations to come?

MG: Morris County offices and the courthouse occupy valuable properties tax-free in Morristown, the county seat. Should the county contribute payments to help cover infrastructure and services provided by the town, as the mayor has asked?  Is that only fair? Please elaborate.

Across New Jersey residents are struggling under the affordability crisis and taxes are one of the biggest culprits. The state government can address this burden by providing funding and grants for counties to help individual towns that are uniquely affected by tax-free properties.