Douglas Herring Sworn In to Fill Vacant Township Committee Seat

Nicholas Mistretta

Herring will serve until November 2026 following the resignation of former Deputy Mayor Vincent Barragan

MONTGOMERY — Douglas Herring was sworn in Thursday night as the newest member of the Montgomery Township Committee, filling the seat left vacant by the resignation of former Committeeman and Deputy Mayor Vincent Barragan.

The appointment took place during the July 16 Township Committee meeting, following roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. The municipal vacancy was the first item of business on the agenda.

Township Clerk Lisa Fania reported that her office received Barragan’s resignation on June 18, effective immediately. Barragan resigned after moving to Princeton.

Following receipt of the resignation, notice was provided to the Township Committee and to the chair of the Montgomery Democratic Organization, in accordance with New Jersey’s municipal vacancy law.

Because the vacancy occurred before Sept. 1 and the departing officeholder had been elected as the nominee of a political party, the municipal committee of that party was required to submit three names to the governing body within 15 days. Fania said her office received the names from the Montgomery Democratic Organization on July 2.

The three nominees submitted were Douglas Herring, Brian Cige and Amanda Baumunk.

Mayor Neena Singh then opened nominations for the appointment. Singh nominated Herring to fill the vacancy through November 2026. The nomination was seconded by Committeeman Dennis Ahn.

There were no further nominations, and the committee voted unanimously to approve Herring’s appointment.

Following the vote, Herring was called forward to take the oath of office as a Township Committee member. Herring will serve in the seat through November 2026.

Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com