Township Committee in Monmouth, New Jersey

2026 Primary Election

• Kristin Celauro — Managing Director and Chief Marketing Officer in Holmdel, NJ

  Kristin Celauro is a Republican candidate for the Holmdel Township Committee in the 2026 primary election, campaigning with Ronald Emma. A Holmdel resident for 15 years, she is a mother of three and owns an active farm, coaching youth sports locally. Professionally, Celauro is a Managing Director and Chief Marketing Officer at a New York-based advisory firm, with over 25 years of experience in business and financial communications. She previously served as spokeswoman for Donald Trump’s 2017 Inaugural Committee. Her platform emphasizes putting Holmdel first, enhancing transparency and accountability, and ensuring fiscal responsibility, though her campaign has faced questions from the Official Holmdel Republican Party regarding past federal tax liens.

• Ronald Emma — Candidate for Township Committee in Holmdel, NJ

  Ronald Emma is a Republican candidate running for election to the Holmdel Township Committee in the 2026 Primary, campaigning alongside Kristin Celauro. He is motivated by what he describes as dysfunctional back-room politics and inaction by the current administration, particularly regarding the Vonage development. Emma highlights concerns about potential drinking water contamination at the Vonage site and the installation of giant utility poles destroying Holmdel's beauty and property values. His policy priorities include the responsible and open preservation of Holmdel’s open space, advocating for the use of the taxpayer-approved trust fund to acquire additional land.

• Thomas "tj" Mann — Director of Government Affairs in Holmdel, NJ

  Thomas "TJ" Mann is a candidate for Holmdel Township Committee, running in the Republican primary. He emphasizes balancing preservation, environmental concerns, property rights, and taxpayer impacts through responsible planning. His priorities include maintaining Holmdel’s quality of life, fiscal responsibility, protecting open space, and ensuring thoughtful redevelopment. Mann currently serves on the Holmdel Township Planning Board, providing direct experience in land use and long-term planning. He also coaches youth sports and volunteers in the community, connecting him to local families' concerns. He advocates for transparency and community input to protect Holmdel's character.

• Joseph A. Romano — Incumbent Township Committeeman in Holmdel, NJ

  Joseph Romano, 43, is an incumbent Holmdel Township Committeeman seeking re-election in the 2026 Primary. A New Jersey native, he moved to Holmdel in 2019 with his wife Shanna and their two young children, Mia and Michael, prioritizing involvement in town affairs. He holds a Business Administration degree and has 20 years in healthcare, founding Sapient Health Management. Sworn into the Township Committee in January 2024, Romano's motivation for public office is to focus on issues, not politics, advocating for fiscally responsible leadership, open space preservation, and support for first responders. While running in the Republican primary, he identifies as a conservative Democrat.

• Gary Vanderham — Incumbent Township Committee Member in Holmdel, NJ

  Gary Vanderham, a 51-year-old Holmdel, New Jersey resident, is an incumbent member of the Holmdel Township Committee. Appointed to complete a vacant term, he is now seeking a full term in the 2026 Republican primary, running alongside Thomas "TJ" Mann. Vanderham's experience includes service on the Holmdel Finance Committee and Zoning Board, in addition to volunteer work with the Holmdel Football Association. A Rutgers University alumnus with both a Bachelor of Science and an MBA, he states he is running to offer leadership grounded in facts, transparency, and sound judgment, aiming to preserve and enhance the Holmdel community.