Filipe Pedroso today announced his candidacy for Mayor of Bridgewater, calling for a change in direction after municipal taxes surged 42% under Mayor Matthew Moench—a historic and unprecedented increase—while sewer bills, debt and development pressures also climbed. The full announcement speech can be watched at BWTnj.com.

“Today, with great humility and a deep sense of responsibility, I am announcing my candidacy for Mayor of Bridgewater,” Pedroso said. “I grew up here, built my businesses here, and I am raising my children here. Bridgewater is home. I care deeply about its future, and I believe our residents deserve leadership that puts them first.”

Pedroso pointed to a record-setting 42 percent increase in the municipal tax levy during Mayor Matthew Moench’s tenure, excessive residential sewer increases of more than 35 percent and outrageous business sewer increases of as much as 300 percent. He said township spending and debt have also climbed sharply, while the administration has advanced more than 700 high-density housing units that threaten to change the future character of Bridgewater.

Pedroso has referred to Moench as “Tax King Mayor Moench,” saying the phrase reflects the scale and pace of the tax increases, not a personal dispute. “No mayor in Bridgewater’s history has raised municipal taxes so much in such a short period,” he said.

Pedroso twice backed Moench, expecting fiscal conservatism and protection of Bridgewater’s quality of life. He cited a 42 percent municipal tax levy increase, dramatic rising sewer bills and debt, and quality-of-life concerns in launching his Republican primary challenge. “Being a Republican should mean something,” Pedroso said, arguing that Moench abandoned Republican principles of limited government, responsible spending, lower taxes, and individual freedom.

“Bridgewater cannot afford another four years on the same path,” Pedroso said. “Families, seniors and local businesses are feeling the pressure. The answer cannot always be another tax increase, another fee increase or another layer of government. We need to examine spending, make hard choices and protect the services people rely on.”

Pedroso also called for greater transparency in township spending, contracting, and hiring. He cited more than $4 million in township legal payments to a firm associated with a longtime personal friend of the mayor, as well as millions paid to other friends and political allies. He also questioned the creation of the Office of Constituent Services, saying the mayor used it to give friends and political allies high-paying jobs. Pedroso said Bridgewater residents deserve a government that awards contracts and fills township jobs on merit and in the public interest.

The Pedroso Plan for a Better Bridgewater

Pedroso outlined six immediate priorities for his campaign:
1. Lower municipal taxes by cutting unnecessary spending. Reduce the budget, remove spending that doesn’t serve the residents, eliminate the Office of Constituent Relations, restore hands-on fiscal oversight, and maintain essential services. Review township legal services for a more cost-effective approach, including bringing primary services in-house.
2. Put Bridgewater residents before political insiders. Increase transparency and accountability, and ensure taxpayer money serves the community—not friends or political allies.
3. Lower sewer bills and pursue refunds for residents. Address overbilling in the sewer budget, return excess funds to residents, and lower future sewer bills to reflect the actual cost of providing sewer service.
4. Protect Bridgewater’s neighborhoods and quality of life. Fight overdevelopment, protect residential zones, and pursue every lawful alternative to reduce high-density housing.
5. Support our police and keep Bridgewater safe. Stand with our officers and ensure they have the staffing, training, equipment and resources they need to keep Bridgewater residents and businesses safe.
6. Restore integrity and deliver hands-on leadership. Be a visible, accessible mayor who listens to residents, communicates openly and puts Bridgewater families first.

Pedroso said the plan builds on his record in public service. He served on the Bridgewater Township Council from 2012 through 2025, including work on the Budget-Finance Committee, where he reviewed budgets, questioned expenses and advocated for lower taxes and responsible spending. Before Mayor Moench took office, Bridgewater experienced a lengthy period of municipal tax stability and reached the lowest municipal tax rate in Somerset County, according to Pedroso.

For more than 24 years, Pedroso has served Bridgewater through local government and community organizations. He spent 10 years on the Zoning Board of Adjustment, including as vice-chairman, and founded Preserve Bridgewater in 2015. The grassroots group brought hundreds of residents together to oppose the original Center of Excellence proposal, which included nearly 400 apartments. Their advocacy stopped that proposal and secured a substantially revised plan, Pedroso said. “I will always fight against overdevelopment and protect Bridgewater’s quality of life.”

Public safety has also been a consistent priority. Pedroso supported police funding and resources on Council, voted to add School Resource Officers and backed a police staffing study. He was the first Bridgewater elected official to publicly speak out in support of local police during the “Defund the Police” movement.

Outside municipal government, Pedroso has applied his business and management experience to community service. As chairman of the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter’s Board of Directors, he helped guide a financial turnaround that paid off approximately $230,000 in debt and built reserves of more than $700,000 in just over two years. He is also a volunteer youth soccer coach and has served on the Finderne Rescue Squad and many other township committees.

Pedroso is a 48-year Bridgewater resident, a graduate of Bridgewater-Raritan High School East, Rutgers University and Seton Hall University School of Law. Pedroso is an attorney, inventor, and patent holder. He is the founder and CEO of VoterMaker, DocketMaker and Giftapart. Married to Liana, he is the father of four children all raised in Bridgewater. He speaks English, Portuguese and Spanish.

“I know Bridgewater’s government, I know how to scrutinize a budget, and I have worked with residents to solve difficult problems,” Pedroso said. “I am running because I love this town and want future generations to enjoy the same opportunity, affordability and quality of life that brought my family here. Together, we can make Bridgewater better.”

Pedroso welcomes residents’ questions, ideas and concerns at BWTNJ.com.

About Filipe Pedroso

Filipe Pedroso has lived in Bridgewater since 1978 and was elected four times to the Township Council. An attorney, inventor, entrepreneur, and community volunteer, he served on the Zoning Board of Adjustment and with the Finderne Rescue Squad, founded Preserve Bridgewater, and chaired the board of the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter.

Pedroso served as vice chairman of the boards of Centerbridge II Senior Housing LP and the Portuguese Continental Federal Credit Union. He co-hosted a biweekly call-in television show on legal issues and has received numerous professional honors. He is the only attorney to have received Kean University’s Award for Outstanding Service to the Global African Community.

A private pilot, Pedroso also represented several districts over the years as a district leader on the Bridgewater Republican Municipal Committee. He enjoys spending time with his family.