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Newell Branin

Newell Branin is a lifelong Millville resident (55+ years) with nearly 40 years of professional experience in Emergency Services/Public Safety and “countless” volunteer hours across local organizations. He’s running for City Commission on a message of teamwork, hard work, and culture change—“new leadership, new faces, and new ideas”—with a stated commitment to act in the best interests of Millville and its citizens.

While his public platform is early-stage, Branin’s background suggests a practical, operations-minded perspective on public safety and community service. In his campaign note, he emphasizes that commissioners must function as a team to make sound choices and restore pride in the city. He frames the election as an opportunity to reset direction and bring more responsive, collaborative governance.

At this time, policy specifics (e.g., staffing targets, infrastructure priorities, budget approach) are not yet detailed publicly; this page will be updated as more concrete proposals are released.

Click the red x at the top of this box and then scroll down for more in-depth information and sources.

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Rating Explanation

Newell Branin

Initial transparency/accessibility view: Developing (early-stage). As of now, Branin has a campaign Facebook page and one campaign-related statement (see below). We have not yet logged a dedicated campaign website, long-form interviews, or a truly public facing campaign event. What that means is that there is an upcoming event with Kott and two other candidates that is technically a fundraiser, which limits voters and the press from hearing campaign messaging without directly supporting it. It also raises the question of whether these 3 candidates are campaigning together without publicly saying so.

What would move this up: a central campaign site with organized agenda/issue sections; a truly public event listing; long-form interviews; and prompt replies to voter/media inquiries. As these materials appear, we’ll update the rating to reflect real-world accessibility.

Click the red x at the top of this box and then scroll down for more in-depth information and sources.



Suggested Use of Candidate Pages & Project Disclaimer

Note: There are a few ways to use this page. It mixes objective source material with light analysis and first-hand reporting so voters can choose their depth.

How to get the most out of this candidate page
  1. Start with the Quick Summary. Click the Quick Summary button under the websites section for the fast take.
  2. Scan the objective sources. Check the links for campaign pages and any interviews as they’re added.
  3. Check the agenda & positions. We group stated priorities plainly to make cross-candidate comparisons easier.
  4. Read the Transparency/Accessibility rating. See how reachable and documented the candidate has been so far.
  5. Use the page as a hub. Stick to sources if you want just the facts; use the modals for context about access and responsiveness.

Where we add context or opinion, it’s to help busy voters make sense of gaps in local information.

Newell Branin

Running for:
Millville City Commissioner
Incumbent
Challenger
Newell Branin headshot

Websites

This election is on November 4th, 2025



Transparency/Accessibility Rating: Developing (early-stage)

transparency rating gauge - developing


Videos

Status

No long-form interview posted here yet. As soon as a radio/podcast/video conversation is recorded, it will appear with timestamps and key takeaways.

Overall Agenda and Positions

  • Public Safety & Emergency Services

    Branin highlights a nearly 40-year professional background in Emergency Services/Public Safety. He positions that experience as a foundation for strengthening safety and service delivery in Millville.

    • Applies operational experience from emergency services to city decision-making.
    • Frames safety as central to restoring civic pride and quality of life.

  • Teamwork-Oriented Governance

    Emphasizes that commissioners must work as a team to make the right choices for citizens. Argues that culture and collaboration are decisive for progress.

    • “It takes teamwork and a lot of hard work to make the best decisions.”
    • Open to “new leadership, new faces, new ideas” to change direction.

  • Accountability & Pride in Millville

    Calls for change that residents can be proud of and pledges to keep the best interests of citizens at the center of decisions.

    • Wants to “change our city and move it in the right direction.”
    • Intends to act with the city and citizens’ best interests in mind.


Background and Campaign Message

— Source: Candidate campaign post

“As some of you know, I have decided to run for the Millville City Commission in November. A lot of you have encouraged me to do this for a long time and I have made the decision to help make a difference and hopefully change our city and move it in the right direction.

I am committed to my city and the citizens of Millville. I have been a lifelong Millville resident for over 55 years. I have a professional background in Emergency Services/Public Safety for nearly 40 years. I have countless volunteer hours in numerous local organizations. I have two adult daughters and a grandson.

The City Commissioners are elected to work as a team to make the right choices for our citizens and the city. It takes teamwork and a lot of hard work to make the best decisions. I want to make our city something that we can all be proud of again. When elected, I know I will have the best interest of the city and our citizens.

It’s time for change in Millville, new leadership, new faces and new ideas. Let’s change it together! Please share this page, tell your friends & family and get the word out. Remember to vote in November!”


Experience (Selected)

Public Safety & Service

  • Nearly 40 years of professional experience in Emergency Services/Public Safety.
  • Extensive volunteer service across local organizations (self-reported).

Local Roots & Family

  • Lifelong Millville resident (55+ years).
  • Two adult daughters and a grandson.