BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Another Election 2027 Republican primary battle is brewing in Somerset County.
Former Bridgewater Councilman Filipe Pedroso has announced a primary challenge against incumbent Republican Mayor Matthew Moench, accusing the mayor of abandoning conservative principles amid rising taxes, sewer bills, municipal debt and development pressures.
“Being a Republican should mean something,” Pedroso declared in his announcement, arguing that Moench has failed to deliver on promises of limited government and fiscal responsibility.
Pedroso, who says he previously supported Moench twice, claims the township’s municipal tax levy has increased 42% during the mayor’s tenure, alongside residential sewer increases exceeding 35% and business sewer increases reaching as high as 300%.
The former councilman also took aim at township spending, alleging that more than $4 million in legal payments went to a firm associated with a longtime friend of the mayor. Pedroso is campaigning on cutting unnecessary spending, reducing sewer bills, fighting high-density development, increasing government transparency and supporting local law enforcement.
Moench isn’t taking the challenge lying down.
“Filipe’s ‘campaign announcement’ is nothing more than another vanity project, devoid of substance,” the mayor fired back, accusing his challenger of delivering “lots of talk, very little work” during his time in elected office.
Moench also alleged that Pedroso opposed infrastructure improvements, voted against measures addressing human trafficking and advocated reducing police and public safety resources.
“Whatever it is Filipe is offering, it isn’t the principled, thoughtful leadership our residents deserve,” Moench added.
Pedroso served on the Township Council from 2012 through 2025 and previously spent a decade on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. An attorney and entrepreneur, he has lived in Bridgewater since 1978 and is the father of four.
The competing claims concerning taxes, spending and the candidates’ respective records are already setting the stage for what could become one of Somerset County’s more contentious Republican primary contests.
Republicans recently lost control of Bridgewater’s council in the 2025 Sherrill wave.
