Dave Tingle (Edison Township, New Jersey, candidate 2025)

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Dave Tingle (Nonpartisan) is running for election to Edison Township in New Jersey on November 4, 2025.^[1]

Elections

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

Dave Tingle completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Tingle's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My fellow residents of Edison,

My name is David Tingle, and for over 28 years, service has been the cornerstone of my life. As a Chief Master Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and a Lieutenant in the Edison Police Department, I have dedicated my career to protecting our nation abroad and keeping our community safe here at home. Today, I am humbled to announce my candidacy for Mayor of Edison, driven by that same unwavering commitment to serve.

I enlisted in the Air Force and rose to Chief Master Sergeant, one of the highest enlisted ranks, through dedication and leadership. My deployments to Afghanistan, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Germany—often as a Phoenix Raven Team Leader—taught me courage, decisiveness, and the importance of always putting others first.

At home, I’ve spent more than two decades as a police officer, now a Lieutenant, responding to emergencies, mentoring young officers, and protecting our neighborhoods. I’ve also coached youth football, baseball, and basketball, and served with the American Legion and VFW to support my fellow veterans.

Now, I am answering a new call to serve—this time, as your Mayor. My experience has prepared me to tackle Edison’s challenges with integrity, fiscal responsibility, and vision. This election is about more than politics—it’s about leadership rooted in sacrifice and service. Together, we can build a safer, stronger, and more affordable Edison.

I humbly ask for your support.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Edison deserves a Mayor who takes public safety seriously. Too often, crime prevention is reactive instead of proactive, leaving families feeling vulnerable in their homes and neighborhoods. Dave Tingle will change that by expanding street patrols, creating “walking and rolling” community patrols, and strengthening partnerships between residents and law enforcement. He will also prioritize traffic enforcement and safer roads to protect our children and seniors. With his decades of service as a police officer, Dave knows how to build trust, foster accountability, and make Edison a place where every resident feels secure and supported.
Edison families are paying more but getting less, stuck with rising taxes and a $179 million debt. That’s unacceptable. As Mayor, I will bring in professional project managers to stop waste, cut cost overruns, and keep projects on budget and on time. I will livestream budgets and open the books so every resident knows how their tax dollars are spent. I will prioritize tax relief for seniors and veterans and fight to make living here more affordable for working families. Responsible government isn’t just about numbers—it’s about protecting your paycheck, your home, and your future in Edison.
I hear it everywhere I go—traffic is out of control, and reckless overdevelopment is making it worse. Families spend too much time stuck on Route 27 and Route 1 instead of with their loved ones. As Mayor, I will fight irresponsible development, invest in smarter infrastructure, and push for solutions that ease gridlock across town. Development must serve residents, not special interests, and I’ll make sure projects are planned responsibly. By addressing congestion head-on, we can make Edison more livable, strengthen property values, and protect the character of our neighborhoods.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about three key areas of public policy: public safety, fiscal responsibility, and responsible development. As a police officer, I’ve dedicated my life to protecting families, and I believe public safety must always be proactive, not reactive. I’m equally committed to restoring fiscal discipline in Edison—ending wasteful spending, reducing debt, and keeping taxes affordable for seniors, veterans, and working families. Finally, I care deeply about responsible growth. Reckless overdevelopment has caused traffic gridlock and rising costs. I will fight for smarter infrastructure and planning that protects neighborhoods, eases congestion, and ensures Edison remains affordable and livable for all.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity is the foundation of public service. Without it, nothing else matters. An elected official must be honest, accountable, and transparent in every decision. I also believe in accessibility—leaders should listen, engage, and always be present for the people they serve. Strong leadership, fiscal responsibility, and the courage to stand up for residents, even when it’s not politically convenient, are principles I live by and will bring to the Mayor’s office.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The Mayor’s job is to make sure residents feel safe, heard, and supported. That means reducing crime through proactive policing, making Edison more affordable by ending wasteful spending and holding the line on taxes, and ensuring residents’ voices guide decision-making. At its core, the office should protect public safety, strengthen fiscal responsibility, and keep government accountable to the people it serves.

A mayor is a leader in his or her city. What does that mean to you?

Leadership is about service, not titles. To me, being Mayor means rolling up my sleeves, showing up in the community, and making tough decisions that put residents first. It means setting the tone for integrity in government, leading by example, and ensuring every department works efficiently for the people of Edison. A true leader listens, acts with fairness, and unites people toward a common vision of progress.

If the mayor in your city is not a member of the city council and oversees the day-to-day administration of the city government, what do you believe is the ideal relationship between the mayor and city council?

The Mayor and Council may have different roles, but they should work as partners for the good of Edison. I believe in open communication, mutual respect, and collaboration. Disagreements are natural, but transparency and professionalism must guide those discussions. The Mayor should provide vision and execution, while the Council provides checks, balances, and input from residents. Together, both should put community interests above politics.

What do you love most about your city?

Edison is home. I was born at JFK Hospital, raised here, and built my life in this community. What I love most is our diversity—we are a town where people from all backgrounds live, work, and thrive together. Edison represents opportunity, culture, and community pride. That’s what makes it special, and that’s why I’m so passionate about protecting its future.

What do you perceive to be your city's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Edison is facing three major challenges: unchecked overdevelopment, infrastructure strain, and financial mismanagement. Reckless growth has caused traffic congestion, overcrowded schools, and pressure on public services. At the same time, ballooning debt threatens affordability for families, seniors, and young people. Over the next decade, our challenge will be to rebuild trust in government by restoring fiscal discipline, investing in smarter infrastructure, and ensuring development is responsible, sustainable, and aligned with residents’ needs.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the state government?

The Mayor should be an advocate for Edison at the state level. That means building strong relationships with state leaders to secure resources, grants, and infrastructure investment for our community. At the same time, the Mayor must stand firm against unfunded mandates or policies that hurt local taxpayers. The ideal relationship is one of partnership, but always with Edison’s interests first.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the mayor's office and law enforcement?

The Mayor must support law enforcement while also ensuring accountability and transparency. As a police officer myself, I know the importance of trust between the community and those who protect it. The Mayor should provide resources for proactive policing, ensure officers have the training and tools they need, and maintain open communication with residents to build stronger partnerships. Public safety works best when law enforcement and the community stand together.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Councilman Richard Brescher Former Edison Mayoral Candidate Keith Hahn Edison Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 101 Board of Education President Jerry Shi Councilwoman Joyce Ship-Freeman Anjan Karnati Middlesex County Commissioner Candidate Russ Azzarello Board of Education Candidate Former Mrs.Bharat New Jersey Former Auxiliary Police Chief Kash Saraiya

Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?

On Plainfield Road, a family who’s lived in Edison for over 30 years is facing a heartbreaking reality. They raised their children here, built memories in their backyard, and always believed Edison was the kind of community where families could thrive. But now, with property taxes rising year after year, they can no longer afford to stay in the home they worked their whole lives for.

What hurts even more is that they don’t feel safe anymore. Just last month, their neighbor’s car was stolen in the middle of the night. Crime is up, and what used to be a peaceful street now feels uncertain. Their children, who once dreamed of raising their own families in Edison, have said they don’t want the house because they don’t see Edison as a good place to raise kids anymore.

This family’s story is becoming far too common. It’s why I’m running for Mayor—because no one who built their life in Edison should feel forced out of the community they love. Families should feel safe, secure, and proud to call Edison home again.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

I’m proud to have become a Chief Master Sergeant in the Air Force Reserves, the highest enlisted rank, which is a milestone few achieve. This experience taught me the importance of discipline, accountability, and leading by example. I learned how to manage complex operations, mentor teams, and make tough decisions under pressure—skills that directly prepared me to lead a community, make thoughtful policy decisions, and serve the people of Edison with integrity and effectiveness.

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