Raritan Mayor Nicolas Carra resigned suddenly on Tuesday, halfway through his term.
His resignation took effect immediately. In his resignation letter, Carra said he no longer believed he could fulfill his goals as mayor, including the time needed to do his job well.
“Leadership requires collaboration and shared commitment, and without that, the vision I promised you cannot be realized in the way I believe it should,” Carra wrote in his resignation letter. “I never sought office for the sake of a title; I ran to challenge the status quo. If I cannot fulfill that mission, I believe it is right to allow someone else to take the helm in guiding our great town.”
Because Carra was a Republican, the Raritan Republican Committee will provide the borough council with a list of three potential successors. The council will choose the next mayor from that list. The GOP holds a 5-1 majority in the town where two-time gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli got his start.
Council president Don Tozzi will serve as acting mayor until Dec. 31, according to TAPinto.
In a statement, Carra said he is no longer able to fully dedicate himself to the job.
“After reflection, I have decided that this is the right time for me to step aside,” Carra said. “Public service demands full focus and unwavering commitment, and I recognize that I am no longer in a place to give the role the complete dedication it deserves with my other commitments and responsibilities. Raritan deserves a mayor who can be fully present for the work ahead, and it is in the town’s best interest for me to pass the gavel.”
Carra served on the borough council from 2017 to 2023, and as council president from 2020 to 2023.
