Matthew J. Ward

About this race

Your city's legislative body. Passes local ordinances, sets the city budget and property-tax rate, and makes zoning and development decisions; often hires the city manager.

19 candidates ran for Clifton City Council (Passaic County) in the general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Clifton voters.

About Matthew J. Ward

Senior Editor, Golf Today. A lifelong Clifton resident, he served on the Planning Board (1988-1992), the Board of Education (1999-2002, including as president) and the City Council (2006-2014). He holds an MPA from the University of South Carolina.

What they say they'll focus on:

• Civility, collaboration and consensus on the council
• A strategic plan for the city
• A charter study of the form of government if voters want it

In their own words: Clifton Magazine (October 2026 election issue) questionnaire

Summarized in our words from source 1, source 2, checked October 2026. Not an endorsement.

Where they stand

This is a nonpartisan race, so we don't estimate where candidates fall from their campaign materials or look up their personal voter registration. We'd place Matthew J. Ward only with a published academic score (from a voting record or campaign donors), and we haven't found one we can reliably source.

To see where they stand, read their own words: Clifton Magazine (October 2026 election issue) questionnaire. What they say they'll focus on is listed above.

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More about Matthew J. Ward

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Also running

• John Thomas, Jr.
• Richard Mejia
• George D. Sikora
• Ray Grabowski
• Tom Whittles
• Tarek Alnatur
• Mary Sadrakula
• Iris A. Reyes
• Assad Mujtaba
• Raj Rana
• Antonio Latona
• Tafari K. Anderson
• Avraham Shaya Eisenman
• Norman A. Tahan
• Joseph Kolodziej
• Fred Barnes
• Matt Mullins
• Rosie Pino

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Next elections here

• New Jersey election 2027 · November 2, 2027: All 40 state Senate seats and all 80 General Assembly seats
• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Quick answers

What party is Matthew J. Ward?

None on the ballot: Clifton City Council (Passaic County) is a nonpartisan office, so candidates run without a party label.

What does the Clifton City Council seat do?

Your city's legislative body. Passes local ordinances, sets the city budget and property-tax rate, and makes zoning and development decisions; often hires the city manager.

Who is Matthew J. Ward running against?

John Thomas, Jr., Richard Mejia, George D. Sikora, Ray Grabowski, Tom Whittles, Tarek Alnatur, Mary Sadrakula, Iris A. Reyes, Assad Mujtaba, Raj Rana, Antonio Latona, Tafari K. Anderson, Avraham Shaya Eisenman, Norman A. Tahan, Joseph Kolodziej, Fred Barnes, Matt Mullins and Rosie Pino, for Clifton City Council (Passaic County).

Should I vote for Matthew J. Ward?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Compare Matthew J. Ward's record, funding and endorsements with the other candidates in this race and decide based on what matters to you.