Monmouth County Board of Commissioners Primary 2025: Jacqui Wenzel

MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ — This year’s Democratic primary race for the Board of County Commissioners is uncontested, with two candidates running for the party nominations.

In the Democratic primary, Jacquelyn (Jacqui) Wenzel and Vito Colasurdo are running for the two spots open for their party’s nomination.

In the Republican primary, incumbents Thomas Arnone and Dominick “Nick” DiRocco are running for re-election against challenger Mary Katie Kelliher.

Early voting for the Primary Election will run from June 3 through June 8. Primary Election Day is June 10.

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

Jacqui Wenzel

Age: 66
Town of Residence: Ocean Township
Education: LIM College, Fashion Institute of Technology
Occupation: Founder & President of a Strategic Marketing & Brand Development Firm

What drove you to seek public office?
What first drove me to seek public office was my passion for the woodland in my neighborhood. I fought to save 32 acres of them, which lit a fire of activism in me that still burns strong.

Throughout the county, we have seen instances of more warehouses and less open spaces. I am running because I care passionately about our community and want to preserve it, not just in Ocean Township, but county-wide.

From our shores to our suburbs, from our cities to our farmlands, Monmouth County’s nature must be protected, and I am a staunch advocate for historical preservation.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?
What sets me apart from other candidates is that I am a passionate advocate for our community. I’ve worked hard to raise awareness on the importance of protecting open space and to help secure Monmouth County’s farmland for future generations.

With a strong background in business and a deep commitment to civic engagement, I am dedicated to keeping our county accessible to working-class families on a fixed income, preserving our county’s history, safeguarding natural resources, and ensuring our parks and infrastructure receive the support they need.

What do you see as the biggest issue Monmouth County is facing, and how will you resolve it?
A. Rising property taxes that are pushing our county’s working-class families from their homes.

B. Monmouth County is also facing federal budget cuts that will impact our assets. There is crucial infrastructure, such as a sea wall in Highlands, that will be losing funding, which will put Monmouth County communities at risk. To combat this, we need to make sure our resources are being correctly allocated into preventative measures like dredging. More importantly, we need to be protecting the open spaces that make our county so special. Having more green space means that we have greater groundwater retention throughout the county and, as a result, less flooding.

What are past accomplishments or experiences that make you qualified for this position?
My passion for protecting what makes Monmouth County special has guided my local advocacy — whether it’s preserving open space, safeguarding tree canopies, or calling out unfair property tax practices that hurt long-time homeowners.

I’ve worked alongside the Monmouth Conservation Foundation on environmental education and served as Vice President of LIM’s Fashion Education Foundation, raising scholarship funds and mentoring students through career development and leadership-building opportunities. As President of Ports 1961 North America and Europe, I’ve also directed high-profile charity events benefiting children’s organizations, leveraging media partnerships to amplify causes that aligned with our company’s values.

Overall, I have been proud to be a guide for many small businesses and will continue to do so, as small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and what makes this county great. My experience helped me develop crucial skills in working with stakeholders and key partners that I will continue to collaborate with on the Board of Commissioners.

If elected, what do you most hope to achieve in Monmouth County?
If elected, I will fight for our residents to be heard by their county government. Currently, residents only receive three minutes to voice their concerns at meetings. I will ensure that they have enough time to not only make themselves heard but address those concerns.

The biggest issue we face in our county today is overdevelopment, and I believe I will be the voice to stand up for protecting green spaces, preserving farmland, and ensuring that all new development fits into the scale and character of our towns. I will also support our county's need for greater affordable housing options.

I have visited towns in North Carolina where they have areas of new homes for first-time home buyers or perhaps retirees. They are positioned in green areas, small in scale but big enough for a family of four. With good urban planning, affordable housing could be a charming neighborhood within our community.

Name one thing about Monmouth County that always makes you smile.
What initially drew me to settle here was the natural beauty of Monmouth County. Growing up in North Jersey, my family vacationed in Belmar during the summer, so I have fond memories of the county — the boardwalk in Asbury Park and the Highlands, but I never knew how naturally diverse it truly was until I explored a permanent move here. I was also drawn by the sense of community and am proud of the friendships I have made not only in my hometown but county-wide.