Kennedy O'Brien is a Republican serving as mayor of Sayreville, a borough of approximately 45,345 residents located in Middlesex County. O'Brien assumed office on January 1, 2024, after winning election in November 2023, and his term runs through December 31, 2027.

O'Brien was selected in 1995 to complete an unexpired council term and was subsequently elected to a full three-year term. He went on to serve as mayor for 20 years before retiring in 2019, a decision he made to care for his wife who was ill at the time. His 2023 return to politics marked a Republican sweep of Sayreville's municipal government, the first time in the borough's history that Republicans held every seat on the mayor's office and borough council simultaneously. He defeated Democratic challenger Bill Henry, the Zoning Board chairman, by a 60%-40% margin.

O'Brien's mayoral tenure has focused on park improvements, economic redevelopment, public safety investment, and tax stabilization. His administration has pursued outside funding aggressively to reduce reliance on local property taxes for capital projects. The borough is also navigating tensions over data center proposals and rising municipal employee healthcare costs that have contributed to recent budget disputes.

Political Career

• Member, Sayreville Borough Council (1995–1998, selected to complete unexpired term, then elected to full term)
• Mayor, Borough of Sayreville (1998–2019)
• Mayor, Borough of Sayreville (2024–2027)

Key Policy Areas

• Parks and recreation
• Economic redevelopment and mixed-use development
• Public safety and law enforcement technology
• Municipal finance and tax stabilization
• Infrastructure and broadband expansion

Notable Actions / Initiatives

• Oversaw renovation of Kennedy Park restrooms and walkways, Veterans Park parking lots and lighting, and the complete renewal of Bailey Park.
• Advanced the Ust Recreational Complex with new athletic fields.
• Supported the Riverton redevelopment project, a $2.5 billion mixed-use development on the Raritan River, including the opening of a Bass Pro Shops anchor tenant in 2026.
• Upgraded the Sayreville Police Department's closed-circuit camera system using fine revenue rather than taxpayer funds.
• Opened an expanded farmers market in 2024 behind Borough Hall.
• Declined to break a 3-3 council tie on a proposed borough-wide data center ban in May 2026, returning the issue for further discussion.

Education

• Not publicly available

Personal

• Birth date: Not publicly available
• Residence: Sayreville