The Watchung Democratic Committee announced today that former Borough Councilmember and current Democratic Committee Chair Lindsay Kraft will join Daryl Eisenberg Knegten and Colin Yhlen on the Democratic ticket this November. Kraft will replace Dr. Albin Xavier as a candidate for Borough Council after Xavier accepted a professional opportunity that will require his family to relocate to Florida. He is the new Director of Emergency Medicine for HCA Capital Health and the associated Free Standing EDs in Tallahassee.

Dr. Xavier, an emergency medicine physician, has been a candidate for Watchung Borough Council for the past two election cycles and has remained actively involved in the Watchung community.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision because Watchung has truly become home for our family,” said Dr. Xavier. “We have built friendships and found a community here for which we will always be grateful. But I was presented with a professional opportunity in Florida that I simply could not turn down, and accepting it means our family will be relocating. I am enormously grateful to everyone who supported me, welcomed me into this campaign and shared with me their hopes for Watchung. I leave knowing that Daryl, Lindsay and Colin are an exceptionally strong team, and I will be cheering them on from Florida.”

Kraft previously served on the Watchung Borough Council from 2018 through 2021, when she and Eisenberg Knegten were part of the first Democratic slate elected to the governing body in recent history. During her Council tenure, Kraft served as Fire Commissioner and worked across numerous areas of Borough government, including the Library, Traffic and Beautification, Police, Administration and Finance, Public Works, and environmental issues. She helped lead efforts to save the Watchung Library, invest in public safety, protect open space, and eliminate the use of firearms on private property for deer control.

An attorney and insurance professional who previously worked in constituent relations for the New Jersey Legislature, Kraft ran for Borough Council again in 2025, coming just 88 votes short of a win, and currently serves as Chair of the Watchung Democratic Committee.

“There is no one I would rather have step into this race than Lindsay Kraft,” said Eisenberg Knegten, the Democratic candidate for Mayor. “Lindsay and I served together on Borough Council, and I know exactly what she brings to the job. No one is more knowledgeable about the issues facing Watchung, and there will be no learning curve. She is ready to govern on day one.

“That matters especially now, because Watchung needs a change in leadership. Too many important decisions are being made without enough scrutiny, transparency or meaningful public input. We need leaders who will ask hard questions, understand the details, and remember that Borough government answers to the residents of Watchung.

“I was proud to serve alongside Lindsay before, proud to support her when she ran again last year, and I could not be more confident in her now. With Lindsay Kraft and Colin Yhlen on Council, Watchung will have two independent, serious, and deeply engaged leaders who are prepared to do the work from the first day they take office.”

Kraft said her previous experience on Council and continued involvement in Borough issues leave her prepared to step immediately into the race.

“I wasn’t planning to be a candidate again this year, but when Dr. Xavier told us about this opportunity, I didn’t hesitate,” Kraft said. “I know the work, I know the issues facing Watchung, and I know how much is at stake in this election. I have spent years working on the details of our municipal government—our budget, public safety, infrastructure, library, open space and the services residents depend on—and I am ready to get back to work.

“Watchung residents deserve a governing body that welcomes questions, explains its decisions and recognizes that disagreement and scrutiny make government better. We need to restore balance and accountability to Borough Hall and make sure residents are part of the process before major decisions are made, not after. I am proud to join Daryl and Colin, and I am ready to make the case for new leadership directly to Watchung voters.”

Kraft will join Eisenberg Knegten, candidate for Mayor, and Yhlen, candidate for Borough Council, on the Democratic ticket in the November 2026 general election.