2nd Democrat Leaves Holmdel Race, Giving Support To Independents

HOLMDEL, NJ — The field of candidates in the race for Holmdel Committee has now firmed up, with two Independents facing two Republicans, after the resignation of asecond Democrat late last week.

That Democrat, Barbara Singer, said she is supporting Independent candidates Dr. Rajesh Mohan and Julie Roth "1,000 percent."

Singer, who is chairperson of the Holmdel Democratic County Committee, said she "decided not to run . . . to use my volunteer time to continue strengthening the Holmdel Democratic organization."

The other Democratic candidate, Rahul Diddi, withdrew his candidacy earlier last week.

The Republicans running for Township Committee are Kimberley LaMountain and Brian Foster.

There are two open seats on the committee.

Singer said she supports the election of the two Independents: "I am very impressed with both these candidates," Singer said. "They are reasonable, they listen, they research, they speak respectfully, they analyze, are clearly hard workers, and are involved in the township community," she said.

Deputy Mayor Prakash Santhana, who narrowly won election as an Independent in 2019, had withdrawn his bid for re-election as an Independent last week due to business responsibilities.

Mohan and Roth "already possess the skill set needed" to serve on the Township Committee, Singer said. Mohan, now in private practice, was formerly chief medical officer of Monmouth Medical Center South and is involved in many large fundraising efforts. Roth was the founder of an arts division at Rutgers University, developing a program there that included overseeing a multi-million dollar budget, as well as overseeing personnel, Singer said. Roth is also a member of the Citizens for Informed Land Use organization in Holmdel.

Santhana and fellow Independent Cathy Weber ran as a team in 2019, defeating the regular Republican line endorsed by the county Republicans. Weber resigned this summer when she relocated to New Hampshire for a new job.

Weber and Santhana both supported a proposal to change Holmdel's government to a nonpartisan form, a proposal that was defeated by voters in July. Committeemen Rocco Impreveduto and DJ Luccarelli opposed the proposal for a change of government. Mayor Gregory Buontempo also supported nonpartisan government.

Weber's unexpired spot on the Township Committee has remained unfilled, each side realizing that the other will not support a candidate the other puts forth.

Diddi, the other Democrat who withdrew, had run unsuccessfully against Impreveduto in 2021.

Singer said that since taking a leadership role with the Democrats in Holmdel she is focusing on door-to-door outreach, increasing the party's visibility through social events and through campaign efforts for various offices on the ticket.