David Chait, who is serving his second term on the Hopewell Township, has served since the start of 2026 as mayor of the township for the first time.
Chait, 41, spent last year as deputy mayor to Courtney Peters-Manning, who was his running mate in the 2025 township committee elections. Both won re-election and are beginning new three-year terms this year.
Chait grew up in Edison and attended Edison public schools before heading to Columbia University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and later, a master’s degree in business administration. His mother was a special education teacher in the Monroe school district for 30 years. His father owned a video store, Cameo Video, with Chait’s grandfather during the early years of VHS video rental. Chait says that was when he first became passionate about small business.
Today, in addition to serving as mayor, Chait is founder and CEO of Travefy, a subscription software business with more than 40,000 travel adviser customers around the world. Its customers are predominantly “solopreneurs” and small businesses, Chait says. Travefy has an office in Hopewell Township.
Chait started his career as a consultant at McKinsey and Company, going on to serve in the Obama administration as senior policy adviser to Karen Mills, the Cabinet-level administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
“I walked away with the entrepreneurial bug, and started Travefy soon after, while in business school,” Chait says.
Chait’s wife, Amanda, has a degree in historic preservation and has worked both public and private sector jobs as an architectural historian and preservationist. She’s currently a full-time mom to daughters Julia (10) and Sally (7), who are 5th and 2nd graders at Bear Tavern Elementary. The family also has two goldendoodles, Lincoln and Nash.
Community News: Why did you decide to make Hopewell Township your home?
David Chait: It’s funny how little decisions in life compound into big ones. We moved back East from Lincoln, Nebraska with a baby and dog in tow, landed in Princeton Junction, and very quickly started looking for the perfect place to raise our family. Nothing came close to Hopewell Township.
Beautiful landscapes, countless parks, world-class schools, amazing restaurants. Everything we wanted was right here.
Community News: Why did you decide to get into elected politics?
David Chait: Getting into township elected politics wasn’t a single decision, but a series of smaller ones. I’ve always believed in service and giving back, and from the moment we moved in I was involved through volunteerism, including serving on the planning board.
In 2022, when former Mayor Kristin McLaughlin was elected as a county commissioner, I raised my hand for the vacant seat and was honored to be appointed. I loved the ability to drive real impact, chose to run for a full term, and am now in my second elected term and fifth year on the township committee.
I had a strong baseline as a planning board member, local parent, and engaged resident. That said, no one can ever be fully prepared, and I learned so much in those earliest days from my colleagues and the incredible township staff.
Five years in, that knowledge only compounds, and my ability to support our residents today is so much greater than when I started.
Community News: How has the experience been so far?
David Chait: While there have of course been many surprising as an elected official, the core of my expectations holds true: residents look to their local government for help with issues big and small, and that’s what we’re here for every day.
Throughout my time on the committee, I have served as liaison to Public Works, Affordable Housing, Tourism and Economic Development, the Youth Advisory Board, and Communications, with Administration and Legal added in my role as mayor.
All of these roles are incredibly special to me, but I want to take this opportunity to call out our Public Works team. They are unsung heroes who keep our roads safe, our outdoor spaces running, and so much more. The township literally would not function without them, and after a winter of seemingly endless storms, my gratitude for them is enormous.
Community News: What are some of your proudest moments since joing the township committee?
David Chait: There’s so much I’m proud of. Finances are always our most pressing priority. In an environment of rising costs and reduced state aid, I’m proud that we delivered a decrease in the municipal tax rate last year and have a strong 2026 budget coming in April, all while maintaining quality services, adding staffing in Public Works, Health, and Police and supporting our fire district.
Transparency has also been a priority, from fully hybrid committee meetings to quarterly “Town Crier” mailings, a monthly email newsletter, and more regular press releases.
And day-to-day issues matter just as much. I’m proud of real progress on road safety including new stop signs along Scotch Road, the new light at Ingleside and Route 31, and our No-Knock Ordinance. We’re here for those day-to-day issues. No phone call or email goes unanswered and resident service is at the core of what we do.
Community News: Why is now the right time for you to step into the role as mayor?
David Chait: After four years on the committee, including a term as deputy mayor, I’ve built the experience and relationships that make me more effective than ever. I’m beyond grateful and humbled by my colleagues’ vote of confidence to serve as mayor this year.
Community News: What would you say about the level of community engagement in Hopewell Township?
David Chait: Community engagement in the township runs deep. From our 99 incredible volunteers on commissions and committees to residents involved with nonprofits and civic organizations across the Valley, to those who come to meetings or reach out with questions and concerns, the engagement is everywhere.
I love that. Our residents care, and that drives real conversation as we all work toward continuously improving life across the Township.
Community News: How is the current relationship between the township and the boroughs, especially given the recent lawsuits and disagreement about the PILOT?
David Chait: Three courts, culminating in the New Jersey Supreme Court, have upheld the legality of Hopewell Township’s PILOT agreement under our third-round affordable housing obligation. While the litigation brought on by the boroughs created unnecessary cost and uncertainty for township residents, we are thrilled we can now move forward with our $16.1 million commitment to Bear Tavern Elementary School.
That aside, my focus is always on building bridges in service of outcomes that support township residents. We have positive, ongoing relationships with our neighbors, especially around shared services, which are one of the most effective ways to stretch taxpayer dollars.
During my time on the committee, we have supported existing partnerships such as police with Hopewell Borough and Valley Senior Services with both boroughs, while also creating new ones including Health and Animal Control.
Community News: What is the latest update on the community center?
David Chait: Designs for the senior and community center were shared publicly in December at a township committee meeting, and work continues with key stakeholders like the YMCA on budget, funding, construction and next steps.
Community News: Is Hopewell Township a good place for developers to create projects like The Hopewell, or Glenmoore Farm?
David Chait: While I can’t comment on specific projects, many of which have matters before or potentially coming before independent township boards, I think Hopewell Township is an incredible place for businesses of all types to flourish.
On tourism specifically, there’s a real opportunity. From our rich history to our beautiful landscapes, the Township is not just a great place to live but a great place to visit, and visitors support so many local main street businesses. With this year marking America’s 250th anniversary and the 250th of Washington’s famous Crossing of the Delaware right here in the township, now is a prime moment to highlight everything that makes Hopewell Township worth exploring.
Community News: Let’s talk about affordable housing. Home prices have risen to a point where Hopewell Township is priced out of the range of all but the most affluent.
David Chait: I am a strong supporter of affordable housing and our moral obligation to support affordability across New Jersey. And while I also believe the state’s process, timelines, and unfunded nature have real flaws, inaction would have exposed our residents to builder’s remedy lawsuits, removing local control and leading to far more development.
With extensions, credits and targeted projects, we’ll meet our 4th Round obligation with far fewer new homes than previous rounds. We fought for the best outcome possible, and I’m proud of the result.
Community News: Is Hopewell Township still a place that welcomes young families?
David Chait: As a resident with a young family, I can say with full confidence there is no place more welcoming or better to raise a family than Hopewell Township. Great schools, countless parks, vibrant youth sports and activities, and a thriving local economy that brings in jobs and new families. It really does have it all.
Community News: What are some projects you are most looking forward to seeing come to fruition in 2026 as mayor?
David Chait: 2026 is a genuinely exciting year for the township and our entire community. As our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, we are reminded that Hopewell Township played a pivotal role in our country’s founding.
We’re working with partners across the region to mark the moment with events throughout the year, supporting local businesses through things like a Restaurant Week this April, adding long-term community assets like a Pavilion at Woolsey Park, and even creating fun mementos like challenge coins.
This all builds on a personal passion for economic development and supporting our incredible main street businesses. And of course, delivering a responsible budget that provides strong services and continued investment is always a core focus and truly the most important thing we do. We’re thrilled to formally introduce it in April.
Hopewell Township Mayor David Chait with his wife, Amanda, and daughters Sally and Julia.,
