Holmdel Township Committee Primary Election 2026: Thomas 'TJ' Mann

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

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 Mann 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.

Thomas “TJ” Mann

Age: 42

Town Of Residence: Holmdel

Education: Bachelor of Science, Ursinus College

Occupation: Director of Government Affairs, NorthStar Strategies LLC

What drove you to seek public office?

I decided to seek public office because I care deeply about Holmdel and the future of our community.

My wife Michelle and I are raising our three children here, and like so many families, we chose Holmdel because of its strong schools, great neighborhoods, and incredible sense of community.

I want to make sure we continue building on the responsible leadership and thoughtful decision-making that have made Holmdel such a great place to live. Every decision we make should start with putting Holmdel first and focusing on what is best for our residents as a whole.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I believe what sets me apart is my combination of professional experience, community involvement, and consistent approach to leadership.

Professionally, I work every day navigating complex government issues, building consensus, and solving problems.

Locally, I currently serve as Vice Chair of the Holmdel Planning Board, where I’ve had firsthand experience reviewing development applications, preserving community character, and balancing growth responsibly.

Most importantly, I approach issues with a town-wide perspective. My focus is on making decisions that benefit all of Holmdel's residents, not just reacting to issues when they impact one particular neighborhood or interest group.

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

My professional background in government affairs has given me extensive experience working with local and state governments, understanding how policy decisions are made, and advocating effectively for communities and organizations.

In Holmdel, my service on the Planning Board has provided me with direct experience on land use, redevelopment, open space preservation, and long-term planning issues that are critically important to our town.

I’ve also spent years coaching youth sports and volunteering in the community, which has helped me stay connected to the concerns and priorities of Holmdel families.

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

My top priorities will be maintaining Holmdel’s strong quality of life, preserving fiscal responsibility, protecting open space wherever possible, and ensuring redevelopment projects are handled thoughtfully and responsibly.

I also want to continue supporting our police, first responders, schools, and local organizations that make Holmdel such a strong community.

It is important that we continue planning responsibly while honoring commitments that have already been made and ensuring future decisions reflect the long-term best interests of our residents.

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?

Open space preservation is extremely important to me and to many residents across Holmdel.

I believe we must continue looking for opportunities to preserve open space whenever possible while also recognizing the legal and financial realities associated with redevelopment obligations and prior approvals.

Responsible planning means balancing preservation, environmental concerns, property rights, and taxpayer impacts in a thoughtful way.

I will continue to advocate for transparency, community input, and smart long-term planning that protects the character of Holmdel while ensuring the township remains financially strong and sustainable.

Name one thing about Holmdel that always makes you smile.

One thing that always makes me smile is seeing Holmdel families together at our sports fields, school events, and community activities.

Whether it’s a Saturday morning soccer game, a lacrosse game, or families gathering at town events, it reminds you what makes Holmdel special.

There is a genuine sense of community here, and it’s something worth protecting for future generations.