Tahje Thomas, 26, Becomes Youngest Ever to be Named as Paulsboro Council President
Photo of Tahje Thomas courtesy of Tahje Thomas
Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Front Runner New Jersey and shared as part of a content-sharing agreement between Mosaic.NJ.com and Front Runner New Jersey. You can follow us on Facebook and X. BY CLYDE HUGHES | AC Joseph Media
PAULSBORO — Paulsboro councilman Tahje Thomas, at 26, became the youngest person ever to be elected council president in the borough of Paulsboro and in Gloucester County during its reorganization meeting this week.
Thomas is a business teacher at Paulsboro High School, where he was once a student leader and served as senior class president. He was elected to council in 2023. He also leads a school-based mentorship program that assists middle school students with improving social emotional skills and lowering student disciplinary infractions.
“It is truly an honor to serve in this position and it is a very exciting opportunity that I have been blessed with,” Thomas told Front Runner New Jersey when asked about how it felt to be chosen by his fellow council members for the leadership role.
“Serving as council president is an honor that I take very seriously and will do all that I can to continue to serve the community that I represent. I ran for council in 2023 because I believe in my community and its ability to succeed, and I wanted to represent the younger generation with a seat at the table.”
Thomas said younger people may feel disconnected from politics and by those who represent them. He said he hopes to serve as an example that anything is possible and that more young people become inspired to get involved in their communities.
“I was born to teen parents, and my mother often said that we ‘grew up together’ and that the odds were stacked against us,” Thomas said. “But thanks be to God, my parents and I overcame the negative stereotypes. I worked hard and was very active in school and was a first-generation college graduate.
“Now being the council president, I hope my story inspires every young person to reach for their dreams and that any goal is attainable if you are willing to work for it.”
Thomas earned his bachelor’s degree in business for secondary education and a master’s degree in educational administration from Grand Canyon University.
“I often take inspiration from this Bible verse found in 1 Timothy 4:12 that says, ‘Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.’
“Every day I try to live by these words and be an example to the students I teach as well as the community I serve. Everything happens for a reason, and it is my hope that this unique opportunity inspires younger people to not only reach for their dreams but to also to serve others in any way that they can.
Thomas said he chairs the Public Property committee, which has been charged with revitalizing vacant properties. He said in 2024 the borough whittled down the vacant properties it was responsible for from 80 vacant/abandoned lots to nearly half by selling about 35. He said those were sold to developers to become single-family homes.
“Not only will this generate a substantial amount of tax revenue for the borough that will bring some relief to the residents, but also having approximately 35 newly built homes is great for Paulsboro and its neighborhoods,” Thomas said.
“One of my goals that I would like to accomplish is to see these new developments and re-developments to completion and we should be seeing a lot of construction in Paulsboro this year, and I am very excited to see the positive impacts these projects will make on the residents and the local economy.”
While some young people look to move out of their hometowns, Thomas sound bullish on Paulsboro and its future.
“I believe that 2025 will bring many exciting developments for Paulsboro,” he said. “Expect to hear Paulsboro in the headlines for a lot of positive news.”
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