Dan Harris sworn in to fill Woodbridge council vacancy

The Woodbridge Township Council unanimously appointed Daniel Wayne Harris to fill a vacant council seat and administered his oath of office at the May 20, 2025 meeting.

Council members moved and seconded the nomination recommended by the local party organization; after a voice vote the council approved the appointment and the clerk administered the oath to "Daniel Wayne Harris," who then addressed the council and audience.

During remarks after the swearing-in, Harris said he served 12'1/2 years on the Woodbridge Board of Education and that he planned to focus on seniors, youth and public health while on the council. He said he viewed the appointment as a temporary seven-month term and expressed the intention to "earn your trust" during that time.

Several council members and Mayor John McCormick spoke in support of Harris before and after the vote, praising his long record of community service, board of education leadership and volunteerism. Speakers cited his work with veterans, senior citizens and schools and described him as prepared and detail-oriented.

Council procedure: the council president called for nominations from the three names submitted by the Woodbridge Democratic Organization; a council member moved to nominate Harris, another seconded, and the council approved by voice vote. The meeting record shows no recorded "no" votes and the chair declared the motion carried.

Harris thanked family members in the audience and said he intended to continue working on issues that intersect the municipal government and the school district. No ordinance or budget item was decided as part of the appointment process.

The remainder of the meeting continued with routine business; the mayor and administration welcomed Harris and council members noted plans to work together on agenda items going forward.