Marine Veteran, Community Activist Running for Teaneck Council

A Teaneck community activist and former U.S. Marine has announced his bid to run for township council.

The 31-year-old Jason Castle revealed his intentions last week on a politically branded Facebook page.

Castle, in his announcement, said he believes his candidacy presents a unique opportunity to "move Teaneck forward."

“Within our diverse community is an untapped wealth of knowledge and passion which has often been patronized if not willfully ignored by our council majority,” he wrote. “But I believe that together we can chart a course forward. We can build bridges across racial divides and religious communities. We can leverage the efficiencies of our private enterprises and the progressive ideals of our nonprofits to improve our municipal government. We can deliver lower taxes and better quality of life.”

Castle, in a losing 2012 Democratic congressional primary campaign against Deputy Mayor Adam Gussen, emphasized improving public schools. Gussen, who won the primary, ultimately lost the election to Republican Scott Garrett.

Castle was again in the news last year following the decision to disinvite the military veteran from speaking at the town's Memorial Day event. The move sparked outrage and some said the decision was politically motivated.