Kasim Gaines sworn in as Hackensack mayor; council names Agatha Toomey deputy mayor and approves appointments

Kasim Gaines was sworn in as mayor of Hackensack on July 1, 2025, after the City Council certified the results of the May 13 municipal election and voted to elect him to the office during the council's reorganization meeting at Hackensack High School Auditorium.

The council earlier read the canvass of votes from the May 13 election that certified five winners for four-year terms: Kasim Gaines (2,821 votes), Agatha Toomey (2,807), Philip Carroll (2,784), Sonia Clark Collins (2,783) and Roberto Diaz (2,770). The council then opened nominations for mayor; Gaines was nominated and, after a roll-call vote, was elected mayor and administered the oath of office.

The reorganization meeting, which followed required public-notice procedures under the state's sunshine law, focused on installing the new governing team and making routine organizational appointments. The council appointed Agatha Toomey deputy mayor by resolution (Resolution 324-25), effective immediately, and voted to qualify several professional service providers and liaisons for boards and advisory groups.

Why it matters: the actions set the city's leadership and board liaisons for the coming four-year term and signal the council's stated…