Essex County Board re-elects leadership, swears in Carlos Pomeras as president and Murray Thomas as vice president

The Essex County Board of County Commissioners reorganized its leadership and approved organizational business at a meeting in early 2026. Commissioners nominated and unanimously elected Commissioner Carlos Pomeras as board president and Commissioner Murray Thomas as vice president; both were sworn in during the meeting.

The reorganization matters were front-loaded in a brief ceremony that included an opening invocation, a prerecorded message from U.S. Sen. Cory Booker and remarks from New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy. After nominations and roll-call votes, Judge Michael Parlavecchio administered the oaths of office to the newly elected president and vice president.

The nominations began when Commissioner Gill placed Commissioner Carlos Pomeras’s name into nomination; Commissioner Luciano seconded. The board closed nominations, conducted a roll-call vote and announced the result. Judge Parlavecchio then administered the oath of office; the new president recited the oath including the pledge to support the U.S. and New Jersey constitutions.

After being sworn in, President Carlos Pomeras thanked colleagues and family, and recounted his family’s immigration story and his path into public service. “Essex County, I think, hands down and by far is the best county in the state of New Jersey,” he said, emphasizing service, vetting and collaboration with municipal and state partners.

Commissioner Murray Thomas—elected vice president and sworn in the same evening—delivered remarks about her family, community roots and the responsibilities of public service. “I’m so deeply honored to be here today to have been nominated and elected by my board colleagues to serve as vice president,” she said.

The board also handled routine organizational business. The deputy clerk read and the board voted on six numbered resolutions covering the board bylaws, the annual meeting schedule, designation of official newspapers for legal notices (citing the relevant New Jersey law noted in the resolution), a cash-management plan and depository designations, appointments to the New Jersey Association of Counties delegation, and a 2026 temporary budget. Each resolution was moved, seconded and approved by roll call; present commissioners voted in favor and the record shows one absence on several administrative items.

Votes at a glance
- Election of board president: Commissioner Carlos Pomeras — Approved by roll-call vote (all present voted yes in favor of the nomination).
- Election of vice president: Commissioner Murray Thomas — Approved by roll-call vote (all present voted yes).
- Resolution 1 (Bylaws): Approved by roll-call vote (yes votes recorded; one absence on the roll).
- Resolution 2 (Annual meeting schedule): Approved by roll-call vote (yes votes recorded; one absence).
- Resolution 3 (Designation of official newspapers; electronic publication pursuant to New Jersey law): Approved by roll-call vote (yes votes recorded; one absence).
- Resolution 4 (Cash management / deposit depositories): Approved by roll-call vote (yes votes recorded; one absence).
- Resolution 5 (Appointment of county representatives to the New Jersey Association of Counties): Approved by roll-call vote (yes votes recorded; one absence).
- Resolution 6 (2026 temporary budget): Approved by roll-call vote (yes votes recorded; one absence).

Public comment was moved to the end of the agenda; the record shows no members of the public came forward to speak during the allotted three-minute public-comment period. The meeting concluded with a benediction given by Reverend Parcel Williams and brief closing remarks from the president.

The board said it planned a brief ceremonial photo period and a second, shorter meeting to follow.