Meet Joe Abegg, Burlington Co. Commissioner General Election Candidate

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — The ballot season is in full swing in the Garden State, and Patch has asked local candidates aiming to win a seat on the Burlington County Board of Commissioners to share their thoughts before the General Election on Nov. 3.

Editor's Note: Patch sent out emails to all contested candidates via the email addresses listed for their campaign. The responses received will be published between now and the general election. Contact edward.callahan@patch.com with any questions regarding coverage.

Name: Joe Abegg

Age: 67

Town of residence: Eastampton

Position sought: Burlington County Commissioner

Party affiliation: Republican

Family: Father of 6, grandfather of 4

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Saint Louis University; Master’s degree in Management, Adam Smith University; Graduate of Air Force Squadron Officer’s School; Air Force Air Command and Staff College; Graduate of Air War College

Occupation: Civil Air Patrol Northeast Region Chief of Staff; Retired United Airlines Captain and United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel

Previous or current elected or appointed office: None

Why are you seeking office?

I would like to continue a career of service through higher office.

As a father and grandfather, I raised my family in Burlington County. Amidst rising costs, I care about making this county affordable, protecting our open spaces, and ensuring that the decisions we make today serve families for generations.

I will work to ensure that the Board of Commissioners is responsible and focused on the people it serves.

What additional measures would you suggest to build on one or two things that are done right now within the county?

Burlington County residents can no longer afford to retire in this county.

I want to ensure that taxpayers are not priced out of the communities where they raised their families.

As Commissioner, I will always put affordability and fiscal responsibility at the forefront. This will start by ending the mindless overspending in Mount Holly and bringing back accountability to our government.

If you were to start your own board or commission, what would it be for and why? What issues would you want to address, or areas would you want to highlight?

I would establish a commission focused on fiscal responsibility to ensure that every taxpayer dollar is spent efficiently. This would be a bipartisan committee of watchdogs tracking every penny of our tax dollars.

Throughout my military and professional career, attention to detail was paramount. I believe county government should operate with that same level of discipline.

I would prioritize greater transparency in the county budgeting process so residents can better understand where their tax dollars are going. As the county continues to spiral into debt, we must bring fiscal responsibility back to the Board of Commissioners.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

First and foremost, I am pledging to work for free if elected.

I hope to continue a lifetime of service and volunteerism by working for the people of Burlington County on the Board of Commissioners. Throughout my career, I have led complex operations involving thousands of volunteers and training programs across multiple states.

I would bring that operational perspective to county government.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence that you can handle this job?

I have sat on seven finance committees, five of which I have chaired.

I also ran two non-profits at the state level. This has given me senior-executive leadership skills, managing large numbers of diverse individuals from across the state of New Jersey.

The Board of Commissioners controls your tax dollars through the county budget. This gives me the background to handle the budget and managerial responsibilities of a Commissioner for New Jersey’s largest county by land.

What's a motto you live your life by?

“People First. Attention to Detail.”

These two principles have been the foundation of my approach to leadership throughout my career. They have taught me the importance of putting others before myself and approaching every challenge with diligence and care.

I will bring that same dedication to serving the people of Burlington County.

What does it mean to you to represent Burlington County moving forward?

I would approach the role with the same sense of duty that has guided my work in uniform. Representing Burlington County would be an opportunity to continue a lifetime of service.

It would mean listening to residents from every municipality and ensuring that their tax dollars are being spent wisely.

Every decision would be made with the county’s long-term future in mind.

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