Holmdel Republican candidates win committee election

HOLMDEL Incumbent Republican Mayor Gregory Buontempo along with Republican Dr. Rocco Pascucci won this year’s Township Committee election.

Four candidates ran for the two available seats on the committee. Buontempo and Pascucci defeated Democrats Larry Luttrell and Barbara Singer for the three-year terms.

“I am happy. I know that it is going to be a lot of work. I am glad the election is over…I am glad it’s over and I am just looking forward to working with everyone, the Democrats, the Republicans, the Independents, everybody to keep doing what we are doing, because I think we are doing good,” Pascucci said.

“I am looking forward to it and we all have to work together and I thank Luttrell. He wrote a nice letter on our website thanking us for keeping a clean to the issues campaign…I am looking forward to working with everyone and I am looking to do good in Holmdel.”

Buontempo obtained 27.17 percent of the votes and recorded 2,615 votes. Pascucci secured 26.76 percent of the votes and received 2,576 votes, according to the Monmouth County Clerk website.

“I am humbled and honored, I really am. I love this community, I put a lot of effort and hard work into this position as mayor and doing everything in my power to continue to keep it a great community and try to find ways to improve it,” Buontempo said. “I think that was most evident earlier this month when we did the ribbon cutting for the new library learning center. I look forward to it being opened later on this month so everybody in the community can enjoy it and start utilizing it.”

Luttrell won 23.45 percent of the votes and received 2,257 votes while Singer earned 22.57 percent of the votes and received 2,173 votes, according to the Monmouth County Clerk website.

“I congratulate Greg Buontempo and Rocco Pascucci for their hard earned election win and commend them for sticking to a debate on the issues rather than personal attacks. I am proud of the effort our volunteers and supporters put in as well as the race we ran. Despite Kim Gaudagno winning by margins between 20 [to] 30 percent in all ten districts in Holmdel, our race was decided by a margin of only three percent,” Luttrell said.

“Initially, more than anything, I want to ensure that residents unite after the election since we are all on the same team and want what’s best for our town. I also hope that the township committee considers adopting our ideas to revise the proposed affordable housing plan and give residents the option of choosing a new form of government that allows the people, not politicians, directly elect our mayor,” Luttrel said.

Singer said, “Congratulations to Buontempo and Pascucci. Like many of the races this year, the Holmdel seats were strongly pursued by all candidates. As a party, the Democrats have continued to organize themselves and grow their support from residents of all political backgrounds who share common views for the town.”

“Our volunteers were hard workers who we enjoyed having by our sides this campaign season. The Monmouth County Democratic Women’s Caucus provides a strong network for female candidates and their support is also appreciated. I am especially proud of Vin Gopal, his team, and Monmouth County Democrats for their work in pursuing that seat in the Senate and [I] am looking forward to New Jersey being led by Phil Murphy,” Singer said.

Contact Vashti Harris at [email protected].