DeGroot to seek re-election as Sussex County commissioner

Sussex County Commissioner Jack DeGroot announced his campaign for re-election, citing a record that includes farmland preservation, expanded senior services and support for education initiatives.

First elected as a political newcomer, DeGroot said his focus has been on practical results for county residents. He is serving as the Board of County Commissioners’ deputy director in 2026.

“Since taking office, my priority has been simple: deliver real results for Sussex County families while protecting what makes our community special,” DeGroot said. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I’m ready to continue that work.”

During his term, DeGroot helped lead efforts investing more than $1 million to preserve more than 300 acres of farmland, with additional projects underway. He also supported a 10-year reauthorization of the Farmland Preservation, Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund.

Under his leadership, the county launched the Sussex County Seed Library, an initiative aimed at helping seniors grow food and stay active. DeGroot also backed expanded partnerships with Sussex County Community College and county technical schools to create workforce opportunities in fields including agriculture and cybersecurity.

He also supported the county’s four-season agritourism program, which officials say provides additional support for farms and small businesses, while maintaining balanced budgets.

A Wantage resident and farmer, DeGroot has expanded his family’s dairy farm into produce and floriculture and plans to plant an apple orchard this spring. He is a mathematics and statistics instructor at New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rutgers University–Newark.

“I’m not making decisions from somewhere else — I’m making them right here, where I live, work, and plan to raise a family,” he said. “Sussex County is my home, and serving this community is an honor.”