Watson family continues tradition of sponging off of government payrolls

Aaron T. Watson, brother of U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, has been appointed as Ewing Township’s business administrator, a move that critics say underscores a long-standing tradition of political nepotism in New Jersey.

The New York Times previously referred to the Watson family’s extensive public roles as “The Family Business,” highlighting their prominent and interconnected presence in government.

The Watson family’s political ties run deep.

In 1970, John S. Watson became the first African-American elected to the Board of Chosen Freeholders in Mercer County, and he went on to become president of that board. He would later serve six terms in the New Jersey General Assembly.

His daughter, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, spent three decades in state government before her 2014 election as the first African American woman to represent New Jersey in Congress.

Her son, William Carter-Watson, was hired as a laborer by the Mercer County Parks Commission in 2014, about a week after she was elected to Congress. Carter-Watson and another son of Watson Coleman, Jared C. Coleman, were sentenced to seven years in jail after holding up the Kids-R-Us store at Mercer Mall as it was about to close on March 12, 2001.

At the time, County Executive Brian Hughes defended the county’s policy of hiring ex-convicts in search of a second chance, noting that the son of Freeholder Pat Colavita, Christian Colavita, was hired an entry-level position although in 2003, a jury found him guilty of third-degree murder in the 1999 shooting death of his girlfriend.

Other family members have held influential roles, including in Trenton’s city government and the state’s Department of Environmental Protection.

John S. “Jay” Watson Jr. spent nearly 30 years in various roles in the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection where he led the agency’s Green Acres Program and served as the deputy commissioner. 

Watson and the Congresswoman’s office did not respond to a request for information about how many family members are on taxpayer-funded payrolls but Trenton-area political activists estimate those combined salaries in are the millions.

Watson, a lifelong Ewing resident, officially assumed his new role on February 5, following approval by the Ewing Township Council. He succeeds long-time business administrator Jim McManimon, who retired after more than 13 years of service.

Watson brings experience from his previous roles as Mercer County deputy county administrator and executive director of the Mercer County Park Commission, though his tenure in county leadership ended with a shift in administration under new Mercer County Executive Dan Benson.

Mayor Bert Steinmann defended the appointment, framing Watson’s hiring as an opportunity to leverage his government experience and connections, inadvertently underscoring the significance of ‘knowing someone’ more than other qualifications.

“Aaron Watson brings a wealth of knowledge and an extensive network from his time in county government,” Steinmann said. “This is a great chance for Ewing Township to collaborate more closely with county programs and resources.”

However, the appointment has drawn criticism for perpetuating what some see as a pattern of familial favoritism in New Jersey politics.

The Watson family has a long history of public service, with the appointee’s late father, John Watson, serving as a trailblazing legislator, and his sister holding the distinction of being New Jersey’s first Black congresswoman.

Other family members have held influential government roles, adding to the perception of entrenched nepotism.

Watson addressed the family legacy in an interview with the Ewing Observer, emphasizing their commitment to public service. “Our father instilled in us the belief that public service is a noble cause. It’s not about getting rich; it’s about making a difference,” Watson said.

Critics, however, argue that the appointment exemplifies the challenges of breaking the cycle of politically connected hires in local government. Watson’s selection comes amid broader scrutiny of such practices in New Jersey, where political dynasties often dominate public offices.

Watson’s new role places him at the helm of Ewing Township’s administrative operations, where he will oversee critical initiatives, including the township’s budget and development projects. Despite the controversy, Steinmann expressed confidence in Watson’s abilities. “Ewing is fortunate to have someone with Aaron’s qualifications and experience stepping into this role,” the mayor said.

While supporters tout Watson’s professional background, detractors point to the appointment as another chapter in what has been described as a pervasive culture of nepotism in New Jersey politics—one that continues to blur the lines between public service and family loyalty.