Joseph C. Bodick elected chair of Union County commissioners; Rebecca Williams named vice chair

Joseph C. Bodick was elected chair of the Union County Board of County Commissioners at the board's organizational meeting and was sworn into office on the first order of business.

The board nominated and confirmed Lourdes Leon as chair pro tem for 2026 before taking up the chair election. The clerk and several commissioners voiced nominations and the board recorded nine affirmative votes to install Leon as chair pro tem.

Speaker 5 nominated Joseph C. Bodick to serve as chair for 2026, citing his long record of public service and ties to Linden. After a roll call in which commissioners answered in the affirmative, Nicholas Zakarian administered the oath of office. During the oath Chief Clerk/Derek Bianchi led the repetition while Bodick spoke and affirmed his duties to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. In his introduction an attendee praised Bodick as “the glue that helps the mayor keep the city together.”

The board then opened nominations for vice chair. Commissioner Rebecca Williams was nominated, and the board again recorded nine affirmative votes to confirm her as vice chair for 2026. Assemblywoman Linda Carter and Veronica Taylor assisted in administering Williams' affirmation. Williams said she was honored to serve and expressed appreciation for colleagues, congratulating outgoing Chair Lourdes Leon on her year of service.

The new chair and vice chair exchanged brief congratulations with colleagues; the meeting then moved to the next scheduled item.

All quotes and attributions in this report come from the meeting transcript of the Union County Board of County Commissioners' organizational meeting.