Candidate Q&A - Judy Rugg

Judy Rugg

Challenger: (D-Ward 2); former member of Dover Town Council for four years

Nurse/Administrator, received Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, BSN, from the College of St. Elizabeth, Morristown

Q&A

Why are you running for Council?

Like so many women who volunteer in the community, I decided to run for Council because my neighbors asked me to run. I gave deep thought to the decision. I support new, younger members of our community to run for council and serve the community. I provided guidance and support to current Council Member from the 2nd Ward, Geovani Estacio, as well as to other former Council Members, including Mayor Carolyn Blackman. I’ve overcome many challenges in my life, so I decided to run to show others that it can be done, and to win. I plan to serve our community honorably, without demoralizing public employees or embarrassing our town with negative headlines and social media posts. I love Dover.

What makes you qualified for office?

I am uniquely qualified to serve on the Dover Council thanks to my long-standing relationships with members of our community, my knowledge of local governance, and my previous service on the Council for 4 years. I  bring a fresh perspective and commitment to The People of Dover. I am not here to simply rubberstamp the mayor’s wishes.

What are your Top 3 priorities?

The top priority in Dover is healthcare. We need a health department that can meet the needs of our elderly residents, our uninsured residents, and our newly arrived residents who may not have all their vaccinations up to date. As a nurse, I know how important this is. I served on the Council during COVID-19 and witnessed firsthand how devastating the pandemic was for Dover. 

Healthcare is tied to housing, so housing is the second priority. We have a homeless community and neighbors living in overcrowded conditions. Certainly, the Code Enforcement Department must play a role in addressing some of these issues. Still, we need to ensure that the County, State, and Local Government come together to address the great need for safe, affordable housing in Dover. We have public transportation and at least 3-4 different religious communities that provide aid to the less fortunate and the homeless. This is a blessing in Dover, and it draws people in need from neighboring communities. We need to collaborate with others to implement solutions that actually work.

The third priority is communication. Our community functions best when we share information respectfully and truthfully, respond to constituent concerns, and work together despite personal or political differences. I am ready to work with everyone in town hall in the best interest of everyone who lives, works, and visits Dover.

How will you address challenges over residents' immigrant status?

Dover is a diverse community with a rich history of immigrants from Europe, Latin America, and Asia, as well as Africa and the Middle East. Now, the threat of ICE arrests and raids has kept some members of our community from sending their children to school, from going to work, or from enjoying leisure time at activities in our community. Supporting the immediate passage of the Immigrant Trust Act is the least any of us can do to help assuage that fear. I’m learning more about resources to assist our neighbors in adjusting their status, to defend from deportation, and to identify a judicial warrant as opposed to an administrative warrant. I support Senator Andy Kim’s efforts to fortify our immigrant community, and I support the work of statewide non-profit organizations that provide much-needed legal services, such as the Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) lawyers that represent Special Immigrant Juveniles in Court. Several members of our community are minors in need of asylum. I share what I learn with our constituents, and I support the work of local organizations like MCOHA, UCEDA, and Wind of the Spirit in their work with our immigrant community.

Do you support the Immigrant Trust Act?

Yes. This bill was presented before as the Values Act and is the codification of the Immigrant Trust Directive. Essentially, this is a community policing bill, a social services bill. As a nurse, I would never want a family to think twice about seeking medical assistance for fear that the hospital or clinic staff might contact ICE. We need this law. Maryland and other states have already passed similar laws. Dover needs it now.

How will you try to build relationships with Dover residents?

I take every opportunity to spend time with our seniors, attend functions at our local schools, celebrate with the congregants at our local places of worship, and answer all constituent concerns in person, over the phone, or by email. I will continue engaging with our neighbors and voting on agenda items in line with the preferences the constituents make known to me.