Lucas Gosnell is running for Wayne Township Board as a Democratic candidate in the 2026 general election.
2026 Election Guide
The Western Wayne News asked candidates in contested races for the Nov. 3, 2026, general election the same questions.
- List your education and employment history highlights (100 words or less).
- What are two specific reasons you decided to run for this office? (100 words or less.)
- If elected/reelected, what are your top three priorities for your time in office? (150 words or less.)
- What are two specific skills you would bring to the office to benefit constituents, if elected/reelected? (100 words or less.)
- What’s one aspect of the government body you’re seeking to join or lead that you think is working well and should continue? (100 words or less.)
- What’s one aspect of the body you’re seeking to join or lead that you think needs to change, and what specific action(s) would you pursue to change it? (100 words or less.)
- Will you accept the results of the election process even if you are not elected/reelected? (50 words or less.)
- With state and federal changes limiting funding for government services, what specific strategies will you pursue if elected to sustain the finances of the body you’re seeking to join or lead? (150 words or less)
- Beyond encouraging attendance at public meetings, how do you plan to involve residents in decision making processes that the office you seek is a part of? (100 words or less.)
- Any other comments you’d like to share about your candidacy? (150 words or less.)
Candidates were given three weeks to respond with a firm deadline and word limits. We share their answers here, unedited from their original form.
For full election coverage, visit the Western Wayne News 2026 Election Guide.
Bio highlights: I currently go to Seminary in town seeking an M.Div. I am currently a caretaker for my disabled dad and uncle and I provide assistance to several groups that provide assistance to people in town.
Reasons you ran: First is that the Township has a great responsibility invested in it by state law in caring for those who have nothing else and the Township Board provides an important task of providing oversight and assistance, oversight that I don’t believe always happens. Second, there is a deep disconnect between the community and the Township, I have encountered far too many people who have had horrible experiences and even more people who have no idea what the Township is at all.
Top priorities: If elected, my major aims are improving transparency, improving creativity in use of resources and improving the connection between the Township and the community it serves by encouraging better cooperation and service.
Specific skills: I have personally been through many of the same struggles the people the Township helps have, I have waited for hours for food, I have gone through one bureaucratic circle after another just trying to get basic healthcare for me and my family, and I know the dignity many people deserve but lack and I can act with that dignity in my mind. I also intend to bring the thoroughness in inspection to detail that was necessary in dealing with the bureaucracies that I dealt with, every detail in every report should be thoroughly scrutinized.
Should continue: I think the programs that provide some of the important services for those vulnerable like the free laundry days and the diaper giveaways at the Dwyer center are important ones whose work should continue.
Needs to change: Township Board meetings are held under opaque circumstances with few people being aware there is a Township Board and even fewer knowing when or where meetings are held, publicizing this information across more platforms (including the Township website) and more actively encouraging engagement in the meetings by the people.
Accept election results: Yes
Funding strategies: Better utilization of what we have is the most important part of funding the programs. This starts with greater cooperation with the many organizations already trying to provide assistance to reduce duplication of service and stretch every dollar we have. It also involves actually utilizing the money the Township has. The Township ended last year with a little over three quarters of a million dollars despite having provided very little in the form of food and medical assistance.
Engaging the public: The meetings and minutes of the Board are not published in places the public can easily and intuitively find it like on the township website and should be. Encouraging public participation also involves participating in the public and thus the Township needs a stronger presence in places like the Farmer’s Market and the library in town to more directly engage the people that the Township serves and encourage connection.
Other comments: The Township is supposed to be about grassroots and community action, my goal is to realize those aims.
A version of this article will appear in the October 14 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.