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 priorities of unity and collaboration with county and community partners.

What the council approved

- Certification of municipal election results for five council seats (term: four years), as read into the record by the city clerk. The vote totals were announced during the meeting.

- Election and swearing-in of Kasim Gaines as mayor. The council moved, seconded and carried the nomination by roll call; Gaines then took the oath administered at the meeting.

- Appointment of Agatha Toomey as deputy mayor (Resolution 324-25). The resolution states there will be no additional compensation for the deputy mayor role. The council adopted the resolution by roll call.

- A package of administrative appointments and liaison designations, adopted by unanimous votes: qualification of professional service providers; appointment of Elizabeth Crucis, Esq., as municipal prosecutor (resolution number given in the minutes); appointment of a public defender (resolution read; name not specified in the meeting transcript); designation of the mayor as library board liaison; designation of the mayor (class 1) and deputy mayor (class 2) as planning board representatives; appointment of Councilwoman Sonia Clark Collins as liaison to the recreation board; and appointment of Councilman Roberto Diaz as liaison to the condominium/cooperative and multi-unit rental buildings advisory board. Each item was moved, seconded and approved on voice/roll-call votes recorded as "Aye" by the five council members present.

Voices from officials and the public

County Executive James Tedesco, who administered the oath to Councilwoman Toomey, spoke at the meeting and said the county looks forward to partnering with the new council. "Together, we can and we will deliver real results for the people of Hackensack and Bergen County," Tedesco said.

Deputy Mayor Agatha Toomey, in brief remarks after her swearing-in, framed the incoming council's priorities: "This is just the beginning ... I promise to lead with integrity, transparency, and with your voices at the center of everything we do," she said.

Mayor Gaines told the audience the council will remain accountable to residents: "Our job is to serve you," he said, adding that the council will continue outreach across neighborhoods and with schools and businesses.

A number of residents, county and municipal officials offered public remarks of congratulation and urged cooperation; many speakers used the meeting's public-comment period to emphasize unity, collaboration with the school district and support for local employees.

Meeting context and next steps

The meeting was largely ceremonial and organizational: the council completed the formal steps required at a reorganization meeting (certifying election results, electing a mayor, administering oaths and adopting routine resolutions that allocate liaison duties and professional contracts). Where the transcript recorded a resolution but did not provide a name (the public defender appointment), the meeting minutes state the action was approved but the hired individual was not specified on the record.

The new mayor and council also used the occasion to pledge outreach and collaboration with county and local institutions. Several items approved at the meeting (professional services and liaisons) are administrative; any subsequent contracts or substantive policy decisions will be brought to future council meetings for separate public consideration.

For residents: the council and mayor said they will attend community events, school functions and neighborhood meetings as part of their outreach; future agendas will carry the legislative items that set policy or appropriate funds.