Somerset County Commissioner Election 2026: Elizabeth Graner

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Somerset County's general election on Nov. 4 has four candidates running for two open seats on the Somerset County Commission.

Democratic Incumbent Elizabeth Graner is running for one of the two seats along with incumbent Paul Drake.

They will be facing off against Republican challengers Dan Gallic and Rakesh "Rocky" Ganta.

Are you running for office in Somerset County? Contact Alexis Tarrazi at alexis.tarrazi@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Patch.

Elizabeth Graner

Age: 56

Town of residence: Basking Ridge

Position sought: Somerset County Commissioner

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Family: Fiance Mike, son Patrick, 23 and step daughter Annelise, 22

Education: BA in English/Anthropology, Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN and Master of Arts in Teaching, Marygrove College, Detroit, MI

Occupation: Teacher

Previous or current elected appointed office: Somerset County Commissioner 2025-present, Somerset County Board of Taxation 2022-2025, Rahway Housing Authority and Rahway Library Board

Campaign website: votesomersetcounty.com.

Why are you seeking election for Somerset County Commissioner?

I am running for reelection as Somerset County Commissioner to continue serving our community with practical, fiscally responsible leadership. During my term, we have prioritized smart budgeting, protected local open space and farmland, and made essential investments in our infrastructure and public safety network.

Looking ahead, there is still important work to do. We must continue modernizing county infrastructure, strengthening stormwater and flood mitigation efforts, and keeping Somerset County affordable for families and seniors on fixed incomes. My commitment has always been to put people ahead of politics and work directly with local leaders across all 21 municipalities, including Bernardsville and the Somerset Hills, to ensure our county remains a safe, vibrant, and prosperous place to live.

Costs associated with inflation and the cost of living continue to rise; how do you propose keeping taxes low in Somerset County?

As inflation hits family budgets, County government must practice the exact same fiscal discipline. Keeping Somerset County taxes stable while preserving our high quality of life comes down to expanding shared services, protecting our AAA bond rating, grants, and commercial growth.

We partner with our 21 municipalities and local schools to pool resources for paving, purchasing, and services, cutting overhead and lowering costs for local taxpayers. Our strong financial management secures the highest credit rating possible, saving millions in interest when funding key infrastructure projects. We aggressively pursue state and federal funding for county projects while attracting business investment to broaden our commercial tax base so homeowners don't carry the burden alone. Responsible budgeting, regional collaboration, and smart investments will remain my focus to keep Somerset County affordable for families and seniors.

Overdevelopment and managing open space in the county are key issues. How do you plan to balance these two?

Balancing growth with preservation is standard operating procedure in Somerset County. We reject reckless sprawl and actively direct development to existing commercial centers, protecting our suburban and rural character.

Through our unified Comprehensive Preservation Plan, we have already preserved tens of thousands of acres of critical open space, farmland, and historic sites across the county. We work with local municipalities to steer growth away from open green space and toward underutilized office parks, transit hubs, and commercial corridors—expanding our commercial tax base while leaving open land untouched. Using our Open Space Trust Fund and matching grants, we directly help our 21 towns acquire priority parcels, create public trails, and secure flood-prone lands.

Our priority is clear: safeguard our natural environment and quality of life while keeping redevelopment smart, focused, and sustainable.

What other issues do you feel need to be tackled in Somerset County?

Beyond taxes and smart growth, our primary focus is modernizing Somerset County’s core infrastructure and public safety systems to match the needs of a growing, changing region. Severe weather and localized flooding continue to impact our roads, small businesses, and neighborhoods. We are investing heavily in county bridge repairs, stormwater infrastructure, and regional flood mitigation projects so our infrastructure can withstand heavy storms without paralyzing local commerce or risking public safety.

I support expanding reliable transportation options in our region. Mobility is essential for workforce access and senior quality of life. We are continually modernizing our SCOOT, DASH, and CAT shuttle services while working with state and regional partners to secure highway upgrades, traffic calming measures, and reliable rail connections along the Raritan Valley Line.

What is your favorite thing about living in Somerset County?

My favorite thing about Somerset County is our unmatched quality of life. We truly have the best of all worlds: vibrant, historic downtowns, peaceful parks and farmland, top-performing schools, and close-knit neighborhoods where families put down deep roots.

Whether it's walking through the Rose Garden at Colonial Park, supporting our small businesses along main streets in towns like Somerville and Bernardsville, or attending local community events, there is a strong sense of pride here. People care deeply about their neighbors and their towns.

Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your campaign?

Serving as your Somerset County Commissioner is the honor of a lifetime. Somerset County is where my heart is and where I have seen firsthand how much good we can achieve when we work together across municipal lines.

Over my time in office, we have made real, measurable progress: delivering balanced budgets that protect taxpayer dollars, expanding open space and farmland preservation, investing in regional flood resiliency, and maintaining top-tier county services for our families and seniors.

Leadership is ultimately about listening to residents, staying accessible, and keeping County government transparent and responsive. I am running for reelection to build on the progress we have made together and ensure Somerset County remains one of the best places in New Jersey to live, work, play, and do business.