Meredith Burns

Meredith Burns

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Jersey City Council At-large

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 4, 2025

Education

Bachelor's

State University of New York at Purchase, 2008

Personal

Birthplace

Englewood, N.J.

Profession

Executive

Contact

Campaign website

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Meredith Burns ran for election for an at-large seat of the Jersey City Council in New Jersey. She was on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.^[source]

Burns completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Meredith Burns was born in Englewood, New Jersey. Burns earned a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Purchase in 2008. Her career experience includes working as an executive.

Elections

2025

See also: City elections in Jersey City, New Jersey (2025)

General election

General election for Jersey City Council At-large (3 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for Jersey City Council At-large on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Daniel Rivera (Nonpartisan)
		Meredith Burns (Nonpartisan)
		Fernando Garcia (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Michael Griffin (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Ira Guilford (Nonpartisan)
		Floyd Jeter (Nonpartisan)
		Rolando Lavarro (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Tina Nalls (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Israel Nieves (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Kenny Reyes (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Saundra Robinson Green (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Jennise Sarmiento (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Mamta Singh (Nonpartisan)
		Tami Weaver-Henry (Nonpartisan)
		Kristen Zadroga-Hart (Nonpartisan)

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The outcome of this election has not been called yet.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Burns in this election.

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Meredith Burns completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Burns' 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.

Meredith Burns is a proud fourth-generation Jersey City resident, deeply rooted in the city’s history and committed to building its future. Public service runs in her family—her mother was a nurse at Christ Hospital, her father served as Deputy Chief in the Jersey City Fire Department before becoming Director of the Hudson County Office of Emergency Management, and her brother continues this legacy as a Fire Captain.

Meredith began her career as an actor, performing Off-Broadway and regionally. She co-founded Glass Bandits Theater Company, serving as Managing Director from 2010–2014, and later led a robust arts and literacy program at New Voices Middle School in Brooklyn, serving over 200 children daily.

Since 2017, she has served as Executive Director of Art House Productions, expanding access to arts and culture across Jersey City. She helped pass the Jersey City Arts Fund, New Jersey’s first municipal trust fund for the arts, earning recognition with NJCU’s Leadership Award (2019) and a Women of Action Award (2022). Meredith also serves as a trustee of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.

Now running for Jersey City Council At-Large, Meredith is focused on affordability, workforce housing for artists, small business support, and partnerships with the Board of Education.

She lives in Jersey City with her husband, Mike, their son, Conrad, and their Yorkshire Terrier, Maddie. She holds a BFA in Acting from SUNY Purchase and is a proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA.

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?

• Putting Jersey City Families First: I am running for City Council At-Large to make Jersey City more affordable and livable for families, seniors, and working people. I'll fight to expand workforce housing options, keep residents from being priced out of their neighborhoods, and ensure city policies reflect the needs of all residents. As a mother of a young son, I understand firsthand the challenges families face and will bring empathy, accountability, and action to City Hall to improve quality of life for everyone.
• Strengthening Education and Opportunity: I believe strong schools build strong communities. As a former educator and arts administrator, I know how essential education is to creating opportunity. On Council, I’ll partner with the Board of Education to expand afterschool programs, improve access to the arts, and ensure every student—regardless of zip code—has a path to success. My collaborative leadership will connect families, teachers, and city agencies to deliver better resources and a brighter future for Jersey City’s youth.
• Supporting Artists and Small Businesses: As Executive Director of Art House Productions, I have spent years helping local artists and small businesses thrive. On Council, I’ll advocate for policies that support entrepreneurship, create sustainable artist housing, and keep creative spaces affordable. I know that small businesses and the arts are the heartbeat of Jersey City’s neighborhoods. By investing in them, I’ll strengthen the city’s economy, preserve its unique character, and ensure growth that benefits everyone—not just a few.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about affordability, education, and the arts as drivers of community well-being and equity. I’ve seen how rising costs affect families, seniors, and small businesses, and I’m committed to policies that create more workforce and artist housing so people who contribute to the city can afford to stay here.

I’m equally focused on public education—partnering with the Board of Education to expand afterschool and arts programs, improve access to resources, and strengthen pathways for young people to succeed.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The Jersey City Council At-Large plays a unique and vital role because it serves the entire city, not just one ward. This broad perspective allows councilmembers to connect neighborhood priorities with citywide goals—bridging local concerns and long-term planning. The Council is the legislative branch of city government, responsible for passing ordinances, approving budgets, and ensuring accountability in how public funds are used.

What makes it especially important is its proximity to residents. Councilmembers are often the first point of contact when people need help navigating city services or advocating for change. That closeness to the community gives the office its strength—it ensures local voices directly shape how policies are made and how Jersey City grows.

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

I believe the most important characteristics for an elected official are integrity, transparency, empathy, and collaboration. Integrity builds trust—residents need to know their leaders are working for them, not for personal or political gain. Transparency ensures accountability and invites the public into the process. Empathy allows leaders to truly listen and understand how policies affect people’s daily lives. And collaboration is essential to getting things done—whether it’s working across departments, with the Board of Education, or alongside community partners.

At the heart of good leadership is a commitment to service—putting people first, leading with humility, and making decisions that strengthen the whole community, not just a select few.

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

The core responsibility of a City Council At-Large member is to serve all residents of Jersey City—to listen, respond, and make decisions that improve quality of life citywide. That means ensuring transparency in government, passing policies that promote affordability, safety, and opportunity, and maintaining fiscal responsibility with taxpayer dollars.

It also means being a bridge—connecting residents, small businesses, and community organizations with the resources they need to thrive. Councilmembers should actively engage with neighborhoods, understand local challenges, and work collaboratively with the administration, the Board of Education, and civic partners to deliver results.

Ultimately, the job is about service, accountability, and vision—making Jersey City stronger, fairer, and more inclusive for everyone.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

9/11. I was 15 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was at 11 years old. I babysat for the family down the street. I had it for several years. I worked every summer babysitting, waitressing, badge checking. My family believed in teaching me the value of a dollar and in learning hard work from a young age. I worked through high school and through college. Hard work is in my DNA.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

I have never served in this office, so I'm unaware of the little-known powers. If I'm lucky enough to be elected, I will certainly share the little-known powers or responsibilities with the public so they can be more aware.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

While prior experience in government or politics can be helpful, it is not required to be an effective City Council member. What matters most is a deep understanding of the community, a commitment to service, and the ability to listen, collaborate, and deliver results.

My experience leading nonprofits, working in education, and building community programs has given me firsthand knowledge of how policies affect residents, how to manage budgets, and how to bring diverse stakeholders together—skills that translate directly to city government. Fresh perspectives paired with proven leadership can be just as valuable as traditional political experience.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Effective City Council members benefit from a combination of leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. They need to listen carefully to residents, understand diverse community needs, and translate those insights into practical policies. Budgeting and financial management expertise is essential for making responsible decisions with public funds. Collaboration and negotiation skills are critical, as councilmembers work with the mayor, fellow council members, the Board of Education, and community partners to achieve shared goals. Finally, experience in community engagement, education, or local services helps ensure policies reflect the real needs of residents and neighborhoods.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Run for Something

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