Candidate Bio - Sergio Rodriguez

Sergio Rodriguez (D-Ward 2)

Owner, Launch Strategies LLC

BIOGRAPHY

Sergio Rodriguez is a proud son of Dover, New Jersey—a town that raised him and continues to shape the man, father, and public servant he is today. From his earliest days as a student in the Head Start of Morris County program, Sergio’s journey has been rooted in hard work, service, and a deep commitment to community.

A graduate of Academy Street School, Dover Middle School, and the Morris County School of Technology, Sergio was an honor roll student, a Spelling Bee champion, and an active participant in the Dover Strikers soccer program. These early experiences helped shape his discipline and determination. He later earned his Finance and Political Science degree from William Paterson University, where he deepened his interest in public policy through internships in the federal government, including with Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill.

Sergio’s professional journey took him from Dover to Miami, FL, where he worked for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). There, he quickly distinguished himself as one of the organization’s top-performing fundraisers—personally raising over $1.3 million in support of U.S.-Israel relations. His success in Miami led to a national promotion to AIPAC’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he managed a diverse national donor base and played a key role in expanding strategic development operations across the country.

Despite his achievements on the national stage, Sergio never lost sight of where he came from. Returning home to Dover, he brought with him the skills, experience, and passion to serve his hometown with renewed purpose. Today, he serves as Councilman for Ward 2 in the Town of Dover, and as the lead voice behind the town’s strategic communications efforts, helping bridge the gap between local government and the residents it serves. In this role, he has modernized local government outreach, increased transparency, and launched initiatives to better connect residents with services, updates, and community events.

His commitment to restoring public safety and community standards has led to visible results—from the repainting of pedestrian crosswalks and repairs of light posts, to spearheading efforts to combat public disorder and elevate quality-of-life enforcement across town. Under Sergio’s leadership, Dover has become one of the first municipalities in the region to implement state-of-the-art AI-enabled security technology. Through his advocacy, the town installed new security systems capable of detecting fire, smoke, weapons, violent offenders, and more—providing an added layer of safety for residents and businesses that is unmatched anywhere in the state.

He has also been a champion for Dover’s small business community, personally working with business owners to navigate state grant opportunities. This resulted in over $50,000 of direct funding secured to support local entrepreneurs and keep storefronts thriving.

Sergio’s leadership style is simple: identify the issue, build a coalition, and get it done. It’s why his network continues to grow—across Dover, he is known as a doer—someone who doesn’t just talk about solutions but delivers them—quickly, efficiently, and with the community’s best interest at heart.

Fatherhood has also strengthened Sergio’s vision for Dover: a town that prioritizes safety, equity, and opportunity for every family that calls it home. Whether responding to a constituent’s concern, setting up chairs at a community event, or helping with homework at the kitchen table, Sergio leads with compassion, humility, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference.

From Head Start to Town Hall, from Miami to Washington, and back home to Dover—Sergio Rodriguez continues to be a powerful example of what it means to serve, to grow, and to give back to the place that made you who you are.