Summit councilwoman resigns – New Jersey Globe

Summit Council President Lisa Allen, widely viewed as a rising star in local Republican politics, has resigned less than halfway through her term.

Allen is moving to a different part of Summit and will no longer reside in the politically competitive Ward 2, which she has represented since her appointment in 2021, the New Jersey Globe has learned.

Holding off on a resignation announcement until last night’s council meeting allowed Republicans to avoid a special election for her unexpired term in November.

Instead, the city’s Republican county committee will submit three candidates to the common council – without Allen, the GOP still has a 4-2 majority – who will pick a replacement; if they don’t, the party will fill the seat.  The interim council member will serve until a November 2025 special election.

If Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz (R-Summit) doesn’t seek re-election next year, Allen had been considered the leading candidate to replace her; that still may be the case.  Another Ward 2 councilman, Greg Vartan, could emerge as a Democratic Assembly candidate in 2025, either against Munoz or Allen, the GOP state committeewoman from Union County.

Allen did not respond to a call seeking comment.

The deputy city clerk, Nicole Kotiga, would not say if she was aware of Allen’s resignation but said a letter of resignation had not yet been filed with her office.