Holmdel Township Committee Election Results For 2020

HOLMDEL, NJ - The polls are closed and votes are being tallied in a heated race for Holmdel Township Committee.

Two seats are open this year, with Republicans Domenico “DJ” Luccarelli and incumbent mayor Greg Buontempo vying for the spots against Democrats Joe Romano and Mike Jenkins.

9:47 p.m.: According to the Monmouth County Clerk's Office, Buontempo is currently in the lead with 29.09 percent of the vote, with Luccarelli trailing with 27.86 percent. Romano follows with 22.14 percent. Jenkins currently assumes 20.75 percent of the vote.

As polls have just closed, vote tallies have not yet been reported. Check back here for the latest voting results.

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Buontempo, a Holmdel resident for over 20 years, resides with his wife Ann Marie and has three children. He is a full-time branch manager for a Fortune 50 company in the Telecommunications industry. He was elected mayor for a second term in January 2020, having served on the Holmdel Township Committee since 2011.

“The pandemic has created a great many challenges that are impacting both our residents as well as our local businesses," he told the Asbury Park Press earlier this year (Buontempo did not respond to requests for an election profile). “The ability to continue to manage through this process, keeping public safety as a top priority as well as keeping our municipal tax rate flat without reducing or eliminating and township-provided services continues to be one of my top objectives.”

Luccarelli is the owner of Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea in Newark, formerly serving as the owner and vice president of Dearborn Farms for 27 years. He is a father of three and has spent the last three years on the Holmdel Planning Board. He ran against Buontempo and his running mate Ron E. Emma with Holmdel Board of Education President Victoria “VIcky” Flynn.

“I was a proven leader in the community for 27 years as a owner and VP of Dearborn Farms. In that role I managed a staff of over 100 employees,” Luccarelli told Patch. “I had a hands on approach constantly delegating and coordinating a multi million dollar operation. My responsibilities included but were not limited to procurement of supplies, marketing, branding, staffing, overseeing a production facility and budgeting. I believe the skills I have learned in business operations and my interaction with the public for 27 years will make me [a] natural fit for this position.”

Romano has worked in healthcare for over 15 years. He lives with his wife Shanna and young daughter Mia.

"I am doing this for my daughter. Holmdel needs better leadership than what it's got currently,” Romano told Patch. “Financial responsibility and safety are key pillars to my platform. Followed very closely by exploring some projects that improve the quality of life for the citizens of Holmdel, being transparent, and preserving the natural beauty of Holmdel.”

Jenkins is a five-year Holmdel resident with no previous elected office experience. He is married with two children and has over 23 years of professional experience with work in sales, healthcare and the U.S. Navy. He has an Executive M.B.A. from New York University's Stern School of Business as well as a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

When asked what the most pressing issue facing Holmdel is, Jenkins responded: “Ethics. Act as a pure fiduciary on behalf of those living in Holmdel.”

Since the change to this year's election was announced by Gov. Phil Murphy because of the coronavirus, there have been many questions about how the process will work.

Every the ballot sent through the mail had to be postmarked by Nov. 3. It must be received by your county's election boards by 8 p.m. on Nov. 10.

"Every vote should be safe. Every vote should be secure. Every vote should be counted," Murphy said of the process.

For full coverage of the 2020 election in New Jersey, go here: New Jersey Elections 2020

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