About Councilman Brooks

Jeff Brooks is a dedicated community leader and the Council Vice President and Councilman-at-Large in Rahway, New Jersey, where he has lived for nearly three decades. Holding multiple influential roles, Jeff is the Public Safety Liaison and the Social Justice Commission City County Liaison, actively shaping policy and community engagement.

Jeff graduated Summa Cum Laude from Kean University, earning a Master's of Public Administration with a 4.0 GPA. He is also a distinguished member of the Pi Alpha Alpha Public Administration Honor Society.

His commitment to public service was ignited after graduating with a Bachelor's in Communications from Seton Hall University in 2008, which led him to serve as a field organizer for the Barack Obama presidential campaign. This experience sparked his enduring passion for advocacy and service, subsequently leading to significant roles across non-profit, political, and technology sectors. However, his work in Rahway has been particularly rewarding.

Previously, Jeff served as a long-term substitute teacher and safety officer at Rahway High School, advocating for youth empowerment and safety. He was also the city's first Coalition Coordinator for the Rahway Prevention Coalition, where he worked to create safer environments for young people and tackled issues like underage drinking and marijuana use.

A staunch advocate for second chances, Jeff regularly organizes expungement clinics and has been pivotal in influencing local housing policies to promote equity. As a Real Estate and Business Development professional, he has enabled access to nearly $100,000 in rental assistance to Rahway residents.

Jeff holds an additional bachelor's degree in Sociology from Kean University. He has also served as the inaugural Co-Chairperson of the Rahway Social Justice Commission and as a Commissioner on the City of Rahway’s Planning Board, besides his role on the Union County Advisory Board for the Status of Minorities.

Now three years into his tenure on the City Council, Jeff resides in Rahway's 3rd Ward with his wife, Lian Brooks. He remains committed to championing initiatives that ensure Rahway is a safe, equitable, and welcoming place for all. His leadership reflects a deep and ongoing commitment to service and community advocacy.