Freehold Township Committee Election 2026: Alan Walker

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ — Incumbent Alan Walker is running for re-election to the Township Committee in the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

In November, Walker (R) will run for one of two open full-term seats on the committee alongside Chris Novella (R).

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No nominations have been made for Democratic candidates in the Township Committee race.

Ahead of the election, Patch posed several questions to Walker about his campaign platform, experience and what sets him apart from other candidates running. His replies are below.

Editor's Note: The following article contains information about one of the candidates running for the Freehold Township Committee in 2026. Responses are written as received by Patch and only edited for style.

Patch has contacted all other candidates in this race with the same questions and will post replies as they are received.

Are you running for election in Freehold? Contact Sara Winick at sara.winick@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Patch.

Alan Walker

Age: 60
Town of Residence: Freehold Township
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from Stockton University, 1989
Occupation: Sales Executive Atlantic, Tomorrows Office

What drove you to seek public office?
My involvement in public service began in 2011, when I joined the Freehold Township Recreation Commission. Over the course of nine years, I served as Vice Chairman for two years and Chairman during my final two years on the Commission. That experience gave me a deeper appreciation for the role local government plays in the quality of life of our residents.

In 2020, I was approached about filling an unexpired term on the Township Committee. My colleagues believed that my longstanding ties to the community and my experience serving residents would make me a valuable addition to the governing body.

After joining the Committee during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, I discovered how rewarding it was to serve the community in a broader capacity. That experience reinforced my desire to continue serving, and I decided to seek a full term.

My motivation has remained consistent ever since: to give back to the community that has given so much to me and to help ensure that Freehold Township remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?
Having lived in Freehold Township for nearly my entire life, I bring a perspective shaped by decades of firsthand experience watching our community evolve.

When I moved here in 1970, the Township had fewer than 14,000 residents. Today, our population is approaching 37,000. I have witnessed the transformation firsthand and understand both the opportunities growth can create and the challenges it presents.

Having served on the Township Committee for multiple terms, including stints as Mayor and Deputy Mayor, I also bring practical governing experience and an understanding of how municipal decisions affect residents, taxpayers, and the long-term character of our community.

I believe effective leadership requires more than responding to the issues of the day. It requires anticipating future challenges, making responsible decisions, and having a clear vision for the community we want to leave to the next generation.

My experience, deep community roots, and commitment to thoughtful, fiscally responsible growth have positioned me to help guide Freehold Township into the future while preserving the qualities that make it special.

What past accomplishments or experiences make you qualified for this position?
Throughout my academic, professional, and public service careers, I have sought leadership opportunities that require collaboration, accountability, and a commitment to serving others.

While attending Stockton University, I served as captain of the baseball team in 1989, was elected a student senator, and chaired the Bylaws Committee. While interning in Washington, D.C. in 1988, I was the President of our intern-run organization, which was composed of over 400 students from throughout the United States as well as international students. These experiences helped develop the leadership, teamwork, and decision-making skills that have continued to serve me throughout my career.

My commitment to community service continued through four years as a volunteer coach in the Freehold Township Little League and through my professional involvement with the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials (NJASBO). I served on its Executive Committee from 2013 to 2018 and as State President from 2016 to 2017.

I also co-founded and continue to co-chair the Ocean County School Business Officials annual golf outing, which has raised more than $1 million since its inception over twenty-five years ago to support deserving Ocean County high school students.

I am also currently the Vice President of the Freehold Township High School Community Partnership/Alumni Association, which is an organization that helps raise money for items that have been eliminated from the regular school budget, and I am also a member of the YMCA of the Jersey Shore's Advisory Council for the Freehold Branch.

Since joining the Township Committee in 2020, I have served as the governing body's liaison to the Shade Tree Commission and Youth Guidance Council. I have also served twice as Deputy Mayor, in 2022 and 2026, and as Mayor in 2023.

These experiences have taught me that leadership is not simply about holding a title; it is about accepting responsibility, building consensus, making informed decisions, and being accountable for the results. Effective governance requires working collaboratively with colleagues while also having the conviction to stand by your principles and explain your decisions to the residents you represent.

I believe this combination of professional leadership, community involvement, and hands-on municipal experience has prepared me to continue serving Freehold Township effectively.

If re-elected, what will be your top priorities in your new role?
One of my foremost priorities will be to continue pursuing opportunities to preserve open space and protect the character of Freehold Township.

Our community is an exceptionally desirable place to live, offering convenient access to major metropolitan areas such as New York and Philadelphia while remaining within a short drive of the Jersey Shore. That combination makes Freehold Township attractive to families and businesses, but it also places pressure on our remaining undeveloped land.

The challenge is to balance responsible housing opportunities with the preservation of the community's distinctive character. With nearly 10,000 acres of protected open space, we have made meaningful progress, but preservation requires continued commitment, careful planning, and a long-term perspective.

We must ensure that future development is thoughtful and sustainable rather than allowing growth to diminish the very qualities that make our Township desirable.

Equally important is maintaining the high quality of municipal services our residents expect and deserve. This includes effective police and fire protection, well-maintained roads and public spaces, accessible parks and recreation programs, responsive public works, and efficient municipal departments.

Much of what makes a community function well happens behind the scenes. From public safety and infrastructure to permitting and recreational opportunities, municipal government touches nearly every aspect of our residents' daily lives.

My priority is to ensure that these services remain dependable, responsive, and cost-effective while maintaining responsible leadership of our residents' taxes that we have control over.

Ultimately, I want to help preserve what makes Freehold Township special while ensuring that it remains a well-managed, safe, and welcoming community for future generations.

Name one thing about Freehold Township that always makes you smile.
If I had to choose one thing, it would be the sincere appreciation residents express when they say, "Thank you for all you do" or " I love living in Freehold Township." Those words are a meaningful reminder of why public service matters.

Many residents don't realize that I still have a full-time job while balancing the responsibilities I have as a Township Committee member, which is another full-time job. The commitment extends well beyond scheduled meetings. Throughout my tenure, I have seen firsthand the time and effort that members of the governing body devote to addressing residents' concerns while balancing their professional and personal responsibilities.

What I find especially rewarding is hearing from residents who have had a positive experience with their local government. It might be someone expressing appreciation for the prompt response of a police officer, the assistance they received from our Construction Department while navigating the permitting process, or the work of a municipal employee who went out of
their way to help.

These interactions reinforce an important principle: effective local government is ultimately about the people who we work for. It is about ensuring residents feel safe, supported, and confident that their concerns are being heard.

I am proud to have had the opportunity to serve Freehold Township since 2020, and I remain grateful for the trust residents have placed in me. Knowing that our work makes a tangible difference in people's everyday lives is what continues to make this responsibility so rewarding.