This article originally appeared on page 9 of the No. 5 April 2025 edition of The Gettysburgian magazine
By Brandon Fey, News Editor
As Director of the Center for Public Service (CPS) at Gettysburg College, where he has worked for the past 15 years, Jeffrey “Jeff” Rioux has strived to connect students and faculty to the greater Gettysburg community through public service to foster social change. He now looks to expand upon this work with his candidacy to represent the first ward on the Gettysburg Borough Council.
Rioux announced his candidacy in February, aiming to fill the seat currently held by council member Patricia Lawson as she completes her second term which expires in December. Lawson, who has known Rioux from her former position as Associate Director of Admissions at the College, has expressed support for his candidacy to be her successor.
This map shows the electoral wards of the Gettysburg Borough Council. (Credit: Borough of Gettysburg)
The Gettysburg Borough is divided into three wards that function as separate electoral precincts. Each ward elects two council members who serve respective 4-year terms with no term limits. The election for each council member takes place every alternating two years, so there is only one elected at a time unless a council member is to resign before completing their term. Since 2015, the Borough has had seven council members in total, with the seventh being elected at-large across the entire Borough. The Mayor is also elected at-large in the election cycle opposite from the at-large council member.
Rioux is running to represent the First Ward, which consists of the area East of Carlisle and Baltimore Streets. Voting in this district takes place at the Gettysburg Fire Hall at 35 North Stratton Street.
Rioux has had a strong interest in community politics for several years, attending community meetings regularly out of his passion for local issues. He views this office as an effective way to supplement his leadership of the CPS, which he plans to continue if elected.
“I thought that this [Borough Council position] was a way for me to certainly give back to my community, and do it in a way that’s going to involve me in conversations that may bring light to the work I do at the College,” Rioux said.
He believes that the intersection of these two positions would allow him to serve both roles more effectively, intending to use the council position so he may serve as an intermediary between the Borough and the College. He wants to improve understanding and communication between these two large stakeholders by facilitating conversation and mutual transparency given his administrative position with both entities.
Rioux is running as a democrat and has received guidance from the Adams County Democratic Committee, headquartered in Gettysburg, on launching his campaign. As of mid-March, he remains unopposed in the Democratic primary which is scheduled for May. Should he receive the Democratic nomination, Rioux will likely face a Republican challenger for the general election in November. If elected, he would assume office in January 2026.
Rioux plans to begin door-to-door campaigning in his ward, though he has been primarily focused on his platform and approach if elected.
“I’m more interested in holding the seat than in campaigning,” he said.
Center for Public Service Director Jeff Rioux
He is particularly interested in navigating between the preservation of Gettysburg’s historical identity and addressing the challenges it can create in impeding development for contemporary needs. This issue has been epitomized by the debate over the Gettysburg Station Project, which proposes the creation of a new residential and commercial complex on a vacant lot between Carlisle and Stratton Streets. This has faced considerable opposition from residents who have expressed concern that the center’s height of six to seven stories would disrupt sightlines from the battlefield, potentially harming the town’s essential heritage tourism industry while also imposing upon nearby residences.
While the approval of the Station Project will likely be decided before Rioux takes office should we win the election, he believes that issues like this can be addressed through compromise. He acknowledges the importance of history to the character and economy of Gettysburg and is interested in emulating the solutions of other historic towns facing similar issues.
For example, Rioux believes that the lack of affordable housing in the Borough is one of Gettysburg’s most pressing issues, as many workers in the tourism industry must live in neighboring towns due to high rent prices. Per the example of other communities, he suggests repurposing historic buildings along the railroad tracks to expand housing options while preserving the town’s historical aesthetic.
He also intends to work across party lines to appeal to the common good for all residents, following council member Lawson’s slogan of “partnership over partisanship.”
“I will listen to everyone, and I will make informed decisions that balance the priorities of all of our constituents,” he said.
Rioux ultimately believes that by addressing issues as they arise and considering all opinions with compassion, he can help the town overcome its challenges and pursue the best for its residents.
“I’m very committed to seeing my community thrive,” he said.
