Gloucester Twp. Mayor Election 2025: Keith Gibbons Candidate Profile

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Gloucester Township residents are set to vote for mayor this November.

The race pits Mayor David Mayer, a Democrat, against Keith Gibbons — an independent challenger and member of the Gloucester Township Board of Education running on the "United For Change" ticket.

Patch sent questions to both candidates and will publish responses as they're received. All candidate profiles will be re-shared closer to Election Day, which is Nov. 4.

Gibbons sent Patch the following responses:

Keith Gibbons

• Age: 48
• Education: I completed two years of college, where I gained a solid foundation in problem-solving and critical thinking. While my formal education paused there, my real-world experience managing businesses has been my greatest teacher.
• Occupation: Entrepreneur
• Previous elected/appointed office: I am currently serving the third year of my term on the Gloucester Township Board of Education.

Why are you running for mayor?

I’m running for mayor to give all Gloucester Township residents a voice. A political machine has long dominated without opposition, favoring special interests. I believe checks and balances yield the best outcomes. I work across party lines for the best results. My GT Observer Podcast promotes transparency. Leading the bipartisan 2024 sewer referendum, which 80 percent of voters rejected, showed me Gloucester Township craves change. I will deliver, prioritizing residents over political favors, ensuring fair and inclusive governance for all.

What sets you apart from the other candidate?

I am not a career politician, just an everyday person who sees a need for change. After getting involved a few years ago, it became clear to me what changes needed to happen in the best interest of the residents. Unfortunately, those are not the kinds of changes that career politicians are willing to act on. I am an independent thinker and a problem solver. I enjoy learning new things and creating unique solutions. I am open to listening and learning from others and considering different viewpoints.

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

I’ve spent years building and leading successful ventures. I owned a Christmas tree farm in Oregon, managing logistics to ship tens of thousands of trees nationwide and internationally each year, while wholesaling to resellers, including here in South Jersey. I’ve also coordinated major events like the Made in America Festival, Roots Picnic, and Red Bull Flugtag and Cliff Diving series, working with city officials, unions, and sponsors to negotiate multi-million-dollar contracts and ensure public safety. I’ve started and sold businesses — some sparking entirely new markets — and recently handed a business to an employee at no cost, freeing me to serve our community more fully. At one point, I employed over 1,400 people, mastering multitasking to oversee operations without getting bogged down in the day-to-day.

Beyond business, I’ve been hands-on in Gloucester Township. As an elected member of the Board of Education for our Pre-K through 8th district — the largest in New Jersey — I advocate for students and parents, informed by my regular attendance at Council of Schools meetings. I’m a Gloucester Township Rotarian and a foundation member of the Gloucester Township-Pine Hill Rotary, where our “service above self” motto drives efforts like pantry boxes, senior assistance, and environmental cleanups. For years, I’ve attended Township Council meetings, launching the GT Observer Podcast to keep residents informed about local decisions, because transparency matters, even if the public can’t always be there.

My experience extends to economic development and real estate, from boosting ratables as a Chamber of Commerce member to buying and selling properties while learning how construction departments should function. I’ve managed budgets larger than our township’s, answering to shareholders of publicly traded companies, and led the successful sewer referendum campaign where 80 percent of residents voted against selling our system to the mayor’s employer, NJAW. I’ve also attended countless public meetings — Planning Board, Zoning Board, Housing Authority, Fire Districts — to understand how our township operates.

Globally, I’ve made an impact too — helping build a school for deaf children in Jamaica and introducing axe throwing to the U.S., creating the world’s largest axe throwing tournament and the first all-women’s competitive axe throwing event. Before 40, I built a life where work became a choice, not a necessity, but I’ve chosen to serve.

I’m not here for attention or accolades. I’m here to deliver results — addressing taxes through smart growth, stronger schools and a government that works for you. With over 200 videos online sharing my stance, you know where I stand. As mayor, I’ll bring that same clarity, energy and dedication to Gloucester Township.

If elected, what will be your top priorities during your elected term?

I’d focus on responsible planning to curb overdevelopment, which strains our infrastructure and schools. I believe the township’s “area in need of rehabilitation” status enables excessive growth and puts planning and development in the hands of people who are not qualified planners. As mayor, I’d reassess this to balance development with community needs. Through bipartisan collaboration and transparency, I’ll ensure development supports residents without overburdening roads, utilities or schools, fostering sustainable growth for Gloucester Township.