Chris Hughes, a 23 year old life long Mahwah resident has announced his candidacy for the Mahwah Board of Education. He’ll face off against Board President Prema Moorthy (D), and Trustees John Dinice (R), and Brett Coplin (I) this November. The 2017 Mahwah High School graduate is the only non incumbent contesting any of the three seats up for election this cycle.

Under the slogan “Protect Our Kids,” Chris has stated that he wants to prevent our school system from teaching CRT and gender ideology nonsense while focusing on increased  instruction in social studies, science, civics, and trade electives at the high school level to help kids have access to jobs right out of highschool.

Hughes said, “I’m here to listen and represent the parents and kids of mahwah first and foremost. I don’t believe our schools should be teaching CRT and gender ideology falsehoods that can confuse and harm our kids in their development. The board needs some young blood and when I win this November, I’ll bring the energy we need to make sure our kids are getting the best education and preparing them to be active citizens. I’m also bringing new ideas in increased emphasis on social studies and science, while providing more options for high school students to enter a trade after school.”

Hughes, a physical trainer at a gym in neighboring Wyckoff, is a 2022 graduate of Ramapo College in Mahwah, where he majored in Political Science and was a member of the College Republicans. At Mahwah High School, he was President of the Young Politician’s Club. He has the backing of the group “Mahwah Children First,” and several of the town’s Republican County Committee members; including Michael Schnoll (R-Cragmere).

In 2021, three candidates supported by “Mahwah Children First” were defeated by a newcomer as well as the incumbent republican incumbent Democrat— who had the support of some of Mahwah’s senior Republican leaders. Two of the three challengers from 2021, Phil Ross and Teri Kavakos, were recently elected to the Republican County Committee unopposed.

Bergen County has a record number of candidates filing for school board this year; likely in response to the new sex ed curriculum adopted by the state, and an influx of extremism in the education system. This is something that propelled Governor Glenn Youngkin to victory in Virginia last fall, who became the first Republican to win the commonwealth in 12 years.

Hughes will be teaming up with another political newcomer, Duke Golz (who also was just elected to the Republican County Committee) as he begins his run for Town Council