Election 2022: Eatontown Council Candidate Kevin Gonzalez

EATONTOWN, NJ — There will be an election this year in Eatontown for mayor and town council.

Eatontown Mayor Anthony Talerico Jr., a Democrat, will seek re-election. He will be challenged in the June primary by Jasmine Story, also a Democrat. Story used to be an Eatontown councilwoman. She will now challenge Talerico to be Eatontown's mayor.

There are two seats up for election on the Eatontown town Council: Current Council members Kevin Gonzalez and Maria Grazia Escalante (both Republican) are running for re-election.

Challenging them for those two seats are three Democrats: Virginia East, Meir Araman, Todd Miller and Angela Brunelli.

The primary will be June 7 and the election will be Nov. 8.

Patch asked all the candidates running the same set of questions, and here is the response from Gonzalez:

Name: Kevin Gonzalez

Campaign website: https://www.eatontowngop.com

City or town of residence: Eatontown

Office sought: Eatontown Borough Council

Party affiliation: Republican

Education: Physical therapy degree

Occupation: Physical therapist for 28 years/owner of practice for 16 years

Family: I am married to my beautiful wife for 25+ years, Denise. We have three boys, Daniel (23), Alex (21) and Andrew (17)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Age: 50

Previous public office, appointive or elective: I was an elected member of the Eatontown Board of Education for almost 10 years. I was appointed as a member of the Planning Board from 2017 - 2020. I am currently completing my third term on the Borough Council. My previous terms were non-consecutive, 2010-2012 and 2014-2016.

Why are you seeking this office? To maintain a stable tax base for all residents and ensure that Eatontown remains a great and affordable place to raise a family.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it. Quality of Life - I will continue to work to stabilize our tax base and ensure that our programs, parks and police are second to none for the sake of our family's future.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? I am an Eatontown business owner for 16 years. With the exception of my running mate, Maria Escalante, I don't believe any other candidate owns an Eatontown-based business.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community? N/A

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign? In this "post-Covid" world, the lives of countless residents have turned upside down. What was considered important in 2019 may have changed in 2020. I plan on speaking to the residents of Eatontown and finding out what I can do to help them and their family's prosper in the post-Covid world.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? My years as an elected official have allowed me to make contacts at the local, county and state levels, which have enabled me to help my constituents with many issues. I am also a business owner in Eatontown for 16 years. The challenges I have faced as a business owner have prepared me for the issues I have faced, and will continue to face as an elected official if re-elected.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you? My father always told me, "Kevin, you were born with two ears and only one mouth, so you should listen more than you should speak." Sound advice, especially for someone in politics.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions? My wife and I moved to Eatontown after getting married in 1996. We lived in Wedgewood Circle and after seeing what Eatontown offered for a new and growing family, we purchased our house in Eatontown. Over the years, I have volunteered as a Baseball Coach, Basketball Coach, Cub Scout Leader and Recreation Advisory Committee Member. When I wanted to open my business (Activity First Physical Therapy) in 2006, I chose Eatontown. I am a dedicated Eatontown Resident and will do whatever it takes to ensure the security and quality of life for ALL Eatontown residents and their families.

Editor's Note: Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses provided by the town clerk. The responses received will be published between now and the primary election. Candidates who would like to participate, but did not receive a questionnaire (for whatever reason) can contact carly.baldwin@patch.com