Erik Peterson - Biography

Biography

Peterson was born and raised in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He attended North Carolina State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in business management in 1988. In 1990, he moved in Hunterdon County to work for the Beneficial Management Corporation. Recruited for the Accelerated Management Program at that company, he eventually ran the New Jersey operations of Beneficial’s mortgage banking subsidiary. He then attended Temple University Beasley School of Law, graduating in 1996. That same year he was admitted to the bar in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Peterson now has his own law office in Readington, specializing in real estate law, estate law, and business law. He currently resides in Franklin Township with his wife Jenni and their four children. He is a member of the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce and the local Lions Club. He is on the board of the local United Way.

Peterson’s career in politics began with his appointment as a Republican County Committeeman for Lambertville, where he then resided. Peterson spent several years on the County Committee, only recently leaving that position. Peterson is also a former president of the Hunterdon County Young Republicans. Peterson was elected a Hunterdon County freeholder in 2005, running on a platform of fiscal conservatism, farmland preservation, and open government.

Peterson spearheaded efforts to reduce county spending. As freeholder director, he successfully pushed for passage of a 2008 budget that was $2.5 million less than the 2007 budget. During Peterson’s tenure as a freeholder, Hunterdon County has preserved more total farms and more acres of farmland than any other county. Peterson was also successful in pushing for the publication of the minutes of the board’s executive sessions, which had not been done in 25 years.