Bayonne, New Jersey was incorporated on April 1, 1861 as a township. It was reincorporated on March 10, 1869 as a city. It is currently governed within the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, under the Mayor-Council system of municipal government (Plan C), implemented based on the recommendations of a Charter Study Commission as of July 1, 1962,"The Faulkner Act: New Jersey's Optional Municipal Charter Law" , New Jersey State League of Municipalities, July 2007. Accessed October 29, 2013. before which it was governed by a Board of Commissioners under the Walsh Act. The governing body consists of a mayor and a five-member city council, of which two seats are elected at-large and three from wards.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 135.Broadway National Bank of Bayonne v. Parking Authority, New Jersey Superior Court, Law Division decided August 2, 1962. Via FindACase.com. Accessed November 27, 2011. "The facts are undisputed. The City of Bayonne was governed by a board of commissioners in accordance with the Walsh Act until July 1, 1962.... Mayor-Council Plan C of the Faulkner Act (NJSA 40:69A-1 et seq.) was adopted by referendum in the City of Bayonne and took effect on July 1, 1962." This is a list of mayors of Bayonne, New Jersey.
Mayors Term Mayor Notes 1869–1879 Henry Meigs, Jr. Henry Meigs, Jr. was the first mayor of Bayonne, New Jersey. He took office on March 10, 1869. 1879–1883 1883–1887 David W. Oliver 1887–1891 John Newman 1891–1895 William C. Farr 1895–1904 Egbert Seymour 1904–1906 Thomas Brady 1906–1910 This was his first term. 1910–1912 John J. Cain Cain (July 5, 1861 – January 17, 1937) was the 9th mayor. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Cain started work as a mechanic and worked for the Babcock & Wilcox Boiler Company in Bayonne. He married Katherine Drudy. Cain became involved in politicsin the early 1900s. In 1910, Cain, a Democrat, defeated the incumbent Pierre P. Garven. Cain was very independent and was many times at odds with the city's Democratic party. The following year, when he ran for re-election, he lost in the Democratic primary to Bayonne's Democratic leader Matthew T. Cronin. Cain lost again in 1914, ending his political career. He died at home after a lengthy illness at age 75. His funeral was at St. Henry's Church in Bayonne. He is buried in Holy Name Cemetery in Jersey City. 1912–1914 Matthew T. Cronin 1914–1915 Bert J. DalyThis is his first term. Dr. Bert J. Daly served three non-consecutive terms from 1914–1915, 1927–1931 and 1943–1947. 1915–1919This was his second term. 1919–1923 W. Homer AxfordHe was the director of public affairs on the Bayonne, New Jersey City Commission in 1930. He was head of the X-ray department of the Jersey City Hospital in 1930. 1923–1927 Robert J. Talbot 1927–1931 Bert J. DalyThis is his second term. 1931–1939 Lucius F. Donohue 1939–1943 James J. Donovan 1943–1947 Bert J. DalyThis is his third term. 1947–1951 Charles A. Heiser 1951–1955 Edward F. Clark 1955–1959 G. Thomas DiDomenico Dominico - 16th Street Park is named in his honor. 1959–1962 Alfred V. Brady 1962–1974 Francis G. Fitzpatrick Fitzpatrick Park is named in his honor. 1974–1990 Dennis P. CollinsDennis P. Collins is the longest-serving mayor of Bayonne, New Jersey, serving from 1974 to 1990. He served for years. Collins Park is named for him. 1990–1994 Richard A. Rutkowski Rutowski Park named in his honor. 1994–1998 Leonard P. Kiczek 1998–2007 Joseph Doria 2007–2008 Terrance Malloy 2008–2014 Mark Smith 2014-2026 James Davis2026Robert KubertAppointed interim mayor when Davis resigned to become Hudson County Sheriff at the start of 2026.2026-Sharon Ashe NadrowskiWon election to full four-year mayoral team to replace interim mayor Kubert in mid-May 2026, effective July 1, 2026.
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