Holmdel Township Committee Primary Election 2026: Gary Vanderham

HOLMDEL, NJ — This year’s Republican primary race for Township Committee is packed in Holmdel with five candidates running for two of the party’s open spots.

Candidate Gary Vanderham is running for election to the committee with running mate Thomas “TJ” Mann.

The pair is running against challengers Ronald Emma and Kristin Celauro, as well as incumbent Joseph A. Romano.

No one has filed a petition to run for committee in the Democratic primary race.

Ahead of the Primary Election, Patch posed several questions to Vanderham about his campaign platform, experience and what sets him apart from other candidates running. His replies are below.

Editor’s Note: The following article contains information about one of the candidates running for the Holmdel Township Committee in 2026. Responses are written as received by Patch and only edited for style.

Patch has contacted all other candidates in this race with the same questions and will post replies as they are received.

Are you running for the Holmdel Township Committee? Contact Sara Winick at sara.winick@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Patch.

Gary Vanderham

Age: 51

Town Of Residence: Holmdel

Education: Bachelor of Science, Rutgers University; Master of Business Administration, Rutgers University

Occupation: Member, Holmdel Township Committee

What drove you to seek public office?

I chose to seek public office for one straightforward reason: Holmdel deserves leadership grounded in facts, transparency, and sound judgment.

My family and I have called Holmdel home since 2010 — and we've been active residents ever since. From coaching youth soccer and baseball and serving on the Holmdel Football Association Board, to contributing on the Township Planning Board, Environmental Commission and Finance Committee, and volunteering alongside my wife, Gloria, at St. Benedict's as Eucharistic Ministers and Pre-Cana instructors — we didn't just choose this community, we invested in it.

The civic trust that makes Holmdel exceptional is built decision by decision, and that's precisely the standard I'll continue to bring to public office.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?


I believe responsible governance means asking hard questions, following the facts, collaborating, and always being honest with residents. It means resisting short-term pressures in favor of long-term outcomes that benefit Holmdel as a whole. No agenda. No guesswork. No decisions made for Holmdel residents without Holmdel residents.

Throughout my life, I have done the hard work and spent hours finding workable solutions. Being on the Holmdel Township committee should not be about ego or untruthful agendas; it’s about putting Holmdel residents at the center of everything we do. It’s that simple.

What are past accomplishments or experiences that make you qualified for this position?

My qualifications are grounded in both professional depth and direct community service — and they are specifically relevant to the work of governing Holmdel effectively.

With more than 20 years in finance, I bring a disciplined, analytical lens to every fiscal decision — evaluating budgets, managing long-term obligations, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. Sound financial stewardship isn't a talking point; it's my professional foundation.

In Holmdel, I currently serve as an appointed Township Committeeman and member of the Planning Board, and have contributed to both the Township Finance Committee and Township Environmental Commission — giving me direct, hands-on experience with the issues that matter most: land use, redevelopment, open space, and responsible budgeting.

My community involvement runs deeper than the committee table. Starting as a youth sports coach and voted onto the Holmdel Football and Cheer Association Board. I've led with both accountability and discernment.

I've listened to residents in person and online, and I understand that transparency requires more than intention — it requires infrastructure. I'm committed to leveraging digital tools that keep Holmdel informed and engaged in the decisions being made on their behalf.

Holmdel deserves a committee member who has already been doing the work and knows the time that’s needed. I do — and I'm ready to do more.

If elected, what will be your top priorities in your role?


The most important priority is bringing our Holmdel community together. Taking the time to be present, listening to all our residents, addressing their concerns, and making sure they know they are being heard and that action is being taken. Residents deserve the ability to share their concerns on their terms.

Through attending the mayor’s office hours and conversations with hundreds of residents, I’ve already learned a great deal about the need to preserve open space, diving deeper into decisions that could impact our environment, the need to make Holmdel walkable, and for new development to not encroach on the sanctity of Holmdel.

The best part of Holmdel is our diverse opinions, and I am always available to have a conversation and do the work.

The preservation of Holmdel’s open space has been a hot topic in the local community. If elected, how will you address residents’ concerns about preservation?

Protecting open space is not nostalgia — it's a strategic priority. I stand with Holmdel residents and will actively pursue every viable opportunity to preserve land for the benefit of Holmdel. My stance is based on more than 15 years of conversations with other Holmdel residents — at committee tables, on sidelines, at community events, and at front doors.

Members of the Veterans Committee and Half Century Club, who have watched this township grow and change for decades, say it best: the open spaces that define Holmdel are worth fighting for. Their perspective — and that of residents across our community — reflects the same consistent call for leadership that has a disciplined, transparent decision-making approach that serves Holmdel as a whole.

What I commit to is this: complete facts, truthful conversations and no shortcuts that compromise Holmdel's essence. Smart planning today protects the township our children will inherit tomorrow.

Name one thing about Holmdel that always makes you smile.

One thing that always makes me smile is seeing our Holmdel community come to life: Friday night lights. Halloween nights, when the streets are filled with excited children. Sledding in Holmdel Park. Backyard barbecues. Sharing resources and recipes. And that quiet, proud moment watching your child walk across the stage at graduation while the crowd cheers.

My pride in Holmdel and my sense of belonging were shaped by neighbors who showed up, families who invested, and leaders who understood what was at stake. I'm running because I'm one of those neighbors — and I know exactly what we stand to lose if we stop paying attention.

Every time I see Holmdel come alive — at a holiday celebration, on a sideline, or in a simple wave from a front porch — I'm reminded why I stepped forward to serve.

Our Holmdel community is worth it. And I intend to keep it that way.

Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect that Vanderham was appointed to the Township Committee to complete former Committeeman DJ Luccarelli's term, not elected by residents.