By: Staff
Thursday night on Howard Street became the backdrop for an extraordinary gathering as residents, community leaders, and elected officials filled the venue for the Team Irvington Strong “Game On” Campaign Kickoff, led by Mayor Tony Vauss alongside Darlene Brown, Anthony Vauss Jr., and Dr. Charnette Frederic. 
What began as a campaign launch quickly evolved into a memorable community event that captured the energy, pride, and optimism many say now defines Irvington.
As doors opened, excitement spread quickly through the crowd. 
More than 400 Irvington residents streamed inside, joined by 37 additional guests and public officials from across New Jersey, creating a lively atmosphere that blended neighborhood familiarity with the scale of a major political event.
Supporters held signs celebrating their mayor, waved banners overhead, and greeted friends and neighbors throughout the hall. 
Music echoed through the building while attendees sang along, danced in the aisles, and shared moments of prayer and celebration.
Applause rippled across the room in rolling waves, creating a level of enthusiasm rarely seen at a local campaign event.
Guiding the evening was legendary radio personality Lenny Green of 107.5 WBLS, whose smooth hosting style helped maintain the night’s rhythm and excitement. DJ Antoine Qua, also of 107.5 WBLS, provided the soundtrack for the evening, blending classic R&B, hip-hop, and party anthems that kept the crowd energized throughout the program.
A highlight of the night came when Bells 2.0 delivered a special guest performance that brought the audience to its feet and transformed the rally into a celebration of Irvington’s culture and community spirit.
Beyond the music and celebration, the evening carried notable political significance due to the impressive lineup of state and regional leaders who appeared to support Mayor Vauss and his team.
Joining the mayor were three of the most prominent figures in New Jersey’s political landscape:
Governor Mikie Sherrill
Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.
New Jersey Democratic State Chairman Leroy J. Jones and Senator Renee C. Burgess
Seeing these leaders appear together for a municipal campaign kickoff drew attention from many attendees, who described the moment as a powerful signal of confidence in Mayor Vauss’ leadership.
Their presence demonstrated the broad respect Mayor Vauss has built throughout New Jersey’s political community.
The room grew even louder when Governor Sherrill entered wearing a Mayor Tony Vauss T-shirt to offer her endorsement.
Instead of heading directly to the podium, the governor walked through the crowd greeting residents, sharing laughs, and dancing briefly with supporters before making her way to the stage.
Her interaction with attendees created an atmosphere that felt personal and celebratory.
Moments later, Mayor Tony Vaussstepped forward to address the crowd and was greeted with an immediate surge of cheers and applause. 
Supporters lifted their phones to capture the moment while signs and banners rose throughout the room.
Speaking to the audience, the mayor emphasized the shared responsibility of moving Irvington forward.
“This campaign is not about one person,” Vauss said as the crowd responded with applause.
“It’s about the people of Irvington—our families, our neighborhoods, our faith, and our belief that when we stand together, there is nothing we cannot achieve.”
The message resonated with the audience, reflecting the sense of unity that had developed throughout the evening.
The event also attracted an extensive group of elected officials from across New Jersey, highlighting the wide-ranging support surrounding Team Irvington Strong.
The number of leaders present was so large that attendees joked it was nearly impossible to recognize every official who had come to offer their endorsement.
Among those attending were:
• City of Plainfield Council Member-at-Large Richard Wyatt
• Township of Hillside Mayor Andrea Hyatt
• DR. ANGELA R. GARRETSON — Hillside Council President, 2nd Ward
• Mayor Shawn R. Klein of Livingston
• Mayor Dwayne D. Warren of Orange
• Mayor Theodore “Ted” R. Green of East Orange
• Abdur R. Yasin, Chairman of the West Orange Democratic Party
• Christine McGrath, Councilwoman from Verona
They were joined by numerous mayors, council members, and civic leaders from Essex County, Union County, and municipalities throughout New Jersey, forming a wide coalition of support.
Local leadership from Irvington also attended in strong numbers.
Members of the Essex County Board of County Commissionerspresent included:
• Vice President A’Dorian Murray-Thomas (District 2)
• Commissioner-At-Large Romaine Graham
• Commissioner-At-Large Brendan W. Gill
• Commissioner-At-Large Wayne Richardson
• Commissioner Leonard M. Luciano (District 4)
Members of the Irvington Municipal Council in attendance included:
• Council President Jamillah Z. Beasley (South Ward)
• Council First Vice President October Hudley (East Ward)
• Council Member Luis Antilus (West Ward)
The gathering also included members of the Irvington Board of Education, demonstrating the support of local educational leadership
.
Grassroots involvement was equally evident throughout the event. Irvington Democratic Chairwoman Annette Beasley, along with district leaders, organizers, and community advocates, joined the celebration and reflected the strong neighborhood-level support behind Team Irvington Strong.
Several speakers took the stage to highlight Irvington’s progress during Mayor Vauss’ tenure, pointing to changes that many residents say have reshaped the township.
Public safety was a central theme of those remarks. In years past, Irvington regularly recorded double-digit homicide numbers, but in the most recent year the township reported just one homicide, marking a dramatic reduction in violent crime and underscoring the results of coordinated public safety strategies and community partnerships.
Supporters described the progress as evidence that Irvington is entering a new era of stability and opportunity.
Mayor Vauss and Team Irvington Strong have developed a reputation for a leadership style centered on practical action, collaboration, and long-term community improvement, focusing on strengthening neighborhoods, expanding economic opportunity, and improving everyday life for residents.
That sense of shared purpose could be felt throughout the evening.
Residents prayed together, families danced side by side, and neighbors celebrated the moment together. What started as a campaign announcement gradually became a celebration of Irvington’s identity and future.
For many who attended, the evening signaled the start of an important new chapter in the township’s political story.
As music continued and attendees remained long after the program ended, one sentiment echoed across the room:
The campaign is underway.
The community is standing together.
And in Irvington — the game is officially on.