Election 2023: Kathleen Bauer, Holmdel Township Committee

HOLMDEL, NJ — Kathleen Bauer is the sole Democratic challenger in the race for two full-term seats on the Holmdel Township Committee in the Nov. 7 election.

Bauer, of Ashley Drive, is seeking her first term on the Township Committee. She is challenging incumbent Mayor DJ Luccarelli, a Republican. Also running is Joseph Romano, the other candidate on the Republican ticket.

In these profiles, candidates provide voters with background about themselves and their positions on the issues, as they see them.

Bauer said her main concerns include improving security to address car thefts in the township.

She also would like to add a Democratic voice to the Township Committee, rather than have the existing one-party rule.

Read more from Kathleen Bauer:

Background:

Candidates were asked to provide their professional or volunteer information, government experience and personal background.

I have a PhD in Nutrition from Rutgers University. I have two children and two grandchildren who are attending or have attended public school in Holmdel.

I recently retired from Montclair State University where I worked for 39 years as a professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies. I spent those years teaching, researching, publishing and directing programs.

I also spent the majority of my time at Montclair serving as deputy chair or chair of the department overseeing the education of over 800 students every year as well as supervising other faculty members and supporting staff.

I negotiated contracts for the management of food and science labs and developed department policies for a safe and effective educational environment.

I have also volunteered as a leader of the Girl Scouts and served as a member of the township’s Board of Health.

Top issues:

Candidates were asked about the important issues in their municipality and to offer ideas on how the governing body might address them going forward.

• A one-party government: It is not healthy for only one party to rule the government. I hope to be a voice of reason and work cooperatively with other members of the council, particularly I would like to investigate options for improving the safety and security of our community.
• Security: I am concerned about reports of car thefts in our area. I would like to explore options working with the Holmdel Police Department to improve security.

Holmdel Township Committee (Full term, vote for two):

• Kathleen D. Bauer (D) Monmouth County Democrats
• No Nomination Made (D) Monmouth County Democrats
• Domenico "DJ" Luccarelli (R) Monmouth County Republican Organization
• Joseph Romano (R) Monmouth County Republican Organization

Note: Candidates who have not received their request for profile information from Patch should check their spam folders or can contact Pat McDaniel at patricia.mcdaniel@patch.com for the email with candidate questions.