General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
The Township Committee is the body that ordered the Kenvue redevelopment study, adopted the data-center ban and settled the housing case. This page sets out who is running, what each candidate has said in their own published words, and how to vote. It does not endorse or rank anyone.
Candidates are listed in the order of the Somerset County Clerk’s official candidate list, which follows the August 10, 2026 ballot drawing (Democratic first, Republican second). Quotations come from the candidates’ answers to the same questionnaire, published unedited by Headline News Montgomery, and were chosen for what each says about land use, the Kenvue site, data centers and housing. Where a quoted statement conflicts with a primary document this site covers, we add a short note with the source. Read every answer in full at the link.
The Committee has five members. These two seats decide two of them; Mayor Neena Singh, Dennis Ahn and Mike Martin are not on this year’s ballot.
Three years, January 2027 through December 2029. The seat Patricia Taylor Todd now holds.
“I believe the single most important issue facing Montgomery over the next three years is managing growth — especially land use and long-term community planning — in a way that protects our quality of life.”
“Montgomery is a beautiful and desirable community, but that also means we must be thoughtful and strategic about development, traffic, open space, infrastructure, affordable housing obligations, recreation, and municipal services.”
“I would encourage companies to set up data centers in Montgomery.”
“We currently have a company that wishes to use the existing Kenvue site to set up a data center in a manner that would not draw from our power grid and would use existing water supplies in a responsible manner.”
“The affordable housing debacle surrounding the Kenvue site is a prime example of all of the things that could possibly go wrong.”
The two years left on the term Vince Barragan won in 2025, through December 2028. Barragan resigned June 18, 2026; each party chose its nominee after the primary.
“A developer purchased the property and has filed several lawsuits against Montgomery, including one challenging the township’s data center ban.”
“If elected, I would support the township’s ban on data centers while pushing the committee to work with the developer to find a specific, ratable-generating reuse plan so the township is not relying on one property to solve a structural tax problem again in five years.”
“The strong response from residents ultimately forced the Township Committee to reverse its plans for the Kenvue site.”
“The Township Committee has since rejected the options offered by the property owner, and the developer is now suing the Township for $300 million.”
“I believe a data center has merit if the developer makes significant environmental and infrastructure commitments to Montgomery.”
We found no 2026 statement from any of the four candidates on the redevelopment study of the Kenvue site that the Committee ordered on September 17, 2026, the one decision now in front of the Planning Board. Herring and Taylor Todd both voted for it; DeSanctis and Venis are not on the Committee. No candidate forum for these races had been announced as of October 3; the League of Women Voters’ October 14 forum at the Montgomery library is for Board of Education candidates.
Tuesday, October 13
Last day to register to vote or change your address. Register online (opens in a new tab)
Tuesday, October 27
Mail-in ballot applications sent by mail must be received by the County Clerk. Vote by mail (opens in a new tab)
October 24 – November 1
Early in-person voting. Mon–Sat 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.–6 p.m. You can use any Somerset County early-voting site. Early voting (opens in a new tab)
Monday, November 2, 3 p.m.
Last chance to apply for a mail-in ballot in person at the County Clerk’s office. Vote by mail (opens in a new tab)
Tuesday, November 3
Election Day. Polls open 6 a.m.–8 p.m. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by 8 p.m. and received by November 9; drop boxes close at 8 p.m. Find your polling place (opens in a new tab)
Montgomery Township Municipal Building, 100 Community Drive, Skillman, is one of Somerset County’s six early-voting sites. The others are in Basking Ridge (Bernards Township Community Center), Bridgewater (Municipal Court), Somerset (Franklin Community/Senior Center), Hillsborough (Municipal Building) and North Plainfield (Community Center). The Planning Board has moved its late-October meeting because its room is in use. Somerset County has widened the no-electioneering zone around polling places and ballot drop boxes to 200 feet.
If you requested a mail-in ballot and do not have it by October 9, the County Clerk asks you to call 908-231-7013. Sample ballots are mailed around October 21.