Know Your Candidates — General Election Guide for Montgomery Township and Rocky Hill

Posted October 17, 2024

The 2024 General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 5. On the ballot are President, US Senate, US House of Representatives, two Somerset County Commissioner positions, two Montgomery Township Committee positions, two Rocky Hill Borough Council positions, three 3-year terms on the Montgomery/Rocky Hill School Board, and one 2-year term on the school board.

1. Are you registered? Find out here.

2. Request a mail-in ballot: Call 908.231.7013 a week before the general election , or go in-person by Monday, November 4.

3. The Local Drop Box location for mail-in ballots is Montgomery Township Municipal Building, 100 Community Drive, Skillman, NJ 08558. Or, use the Somerset County interactive map that includes a list of current polling places.

   1. Drop boxes to cast your mail-in ballot are available until 8 pm on Election Night, November 5, 2024. Or, your mail-in ballot must be post-marked by the U.S. Post Office by 8 pm on November 5 and received by November 12 

4. Early voting starts Saturday, October 26.

   1. Early Voting Location for both Montgomery and Rocky Hill residents: Montgomery Township Municipal Building, 100 Community Drive, Skillman, NJ 08558

   2. In person voting will be conducted beginning at 10 am each day from Saturday, October 26 through Sunday November 3, closing at 8 pm Monday through Saturday and at 6 pm on Sundays. Votes cast during early voting are considered complete, and there will not be an opportunity to amend them.

Four Candidates Run for Two Seats on Montgomery Township Committee

The Montgomery News gave the four candidates running for two seats on the Montgomery Township Committee the opportunity to address their constituents for free in our newspaper, and on our website. Each were offered the space for 500 words to address issues of their choice. Some used the full word count, some did not. Best of luck to all candidates.

School Board Candidates

Five candidates are running for three full-term seats on the Montgomery/Rocky Hill School Board. The Montgomery News in partnership with the League of Women Voters offered to host a "Meet the Candidates" forum, which would have taken place in October. Unfortunately, only three candidates responded yes. Those candidates were Patrick Todd, Maria Spina, and Ting Wang.

Because the three candidates who said yes were running together on a ticket, and their opponents each did not respond positivity to attend a forum, the League rules state that that a forum/debate could not take place.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) defines a debate or forum as an event that includes at least two opposing candidates; is staged in a way that does not promote or advance one candidate over another; and allows the candidate(s) to appear concurrently, in face-to-face confrontations, with opportunities to respond to each other.

While The Montgomery News will continue to attempt to promote all candidates so that voters will be informed about candidates, the newspaper will follow the FEC and the League of Women Voters guidelines.

Hosting a forum for one party, or for candidates running on a common platform, at a particular location, or in a meeting or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue are exchanged, may be considered contributions subject to particular campaign or as illegal corporate contributions to a particular candidate or candidates.

We offer the following basic information on the School Board Candidates. Issues discussed at board meetings this past year, such as Parental Rights and selection of books for the library or curriculum, are not included in this year's coverage. We encourage voters to explore these important issues in each candidates online platforms.

Patrick Todd is the Montgomery School Board president.

“I am deeply committed to the educational success of our students within our community. That’s why I am running for re-election. I have spent 29 years serving the public; first in law enforcement and then as a school board member. I also serve as associate director, Test Security, for The College Board, where I ensure a fair testing environment for all students. Since moving to Montgomery in 2017, I have been involved in our local education system. I have served as a parent advisor to the Curriculum Committee and the Anti-Racism and Reform Committee. I was first elected to the board in November 2020, becoming the first African American male to be elected and I was subsequently re-elected to continue to serve our community. Montgomery is a top-performing district, and the board plays a crucial role in maintaining this standard. Transparency, responsibility, and communication are essential in ensuring the board acts in the best interests of our students, faculty, staff, and community. My goal is to continue fostering an environment where every student can thrive academically and personally. ■

Learn more about the “Representing Our Community” slate at representingourcommunity.com.

Maria Spina is the Montgomery School Board vice president.

“I am a proud parent to three Montgomery students, and a 20-year veteran educator seeking re-election to the school board. Since 2022, I have served the community as liaison to Montgomery Rocky Hill Municipal Alliance, Somerset County Educational Services Commission, and the Montgomery Special Education PTA (MSEPTA/MSEPAG), as well as in committee work with the Special Education Ad/Hoc and as chair of Equity Ad/Hoc. Spina earned a master’s in education from Georgian Court University and master’s in school leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is the Math Specialist for New Brunswick Middle School. Her experience in K-12 settings has proven valuable to understanding the operational needs of our district while maintaining a keen awareness of our strategic goals. Spina will focus her attention on newly adopted goals for the student experience, community engagement, and culture and climate, continuing to be a proponent for excellent academic and extracurricular programs and an advocate for opportunities, access and support for all of Montgomery’s students. ■

Learn more about the “Representing Our Community” slate at representingourcommunity.com.

Ting Wang is a senior analyst in institutional research.

Wang works for Rutgers University. She earned a Ph.D. in Measurement, Statistics, and Research Design from the University of Washington, and a master’s in Educational Policy and Administration from the University of Minnesota. With extensive experience in data analytics, statistical modeling, and project management, Wang has led comprehensive data analyses to support institutional effectiveness. Previously, Wang held roles at Educational Testing Service, the world’s largest private educational testing and assessment organization, where she managed national assessment projects and provided expert consultancy in psychometrics and statistical methodologies. Wang was also an adjunct faculty member at Rutgers, teaching graduate courses in educational psychology. Wang says her expertise and leadership skills make her an excellent candidate for the Montgomery Board of Education. This is her first time running for the Montgomery/Rocky Hill School Board. ■

Learn more about the “Representing Our Community” slate at representingourcommunity.com.

John Sangiovanni is a senior estimator, Seminole Construction.

Sangiovanni says he is a dedicated father of two teenage girls and a supportive husband to his wife Dara. They have lived in Montgomery for 11 years where they enjoy participating in local activities and supporting various school sports. John has worked in the construction industry for 30 years where he has participated and led road, bridge, corporate building, home renovation, and government projects. “I am running for the BOE to support our children’s education by ensuring our schools receive the resources needed to improve student test scores, and by listening to parents to uphold our town’s family values. I will be committed to using tax dollars responsibly while strictly adhering to the 2% property tax cap, ensuring we maintain fiscal responsibility without compromising on the quality of education.” He says he will fight for age appropriate and cognitively appropriate curriculum for all grade levels and classes. This is Sangiovanni's third attempt at running for a seat on the school board. ■

Learn more about the Making Montgomery Thrive Platform at https://votejohn.us/

Jaideep Mathur is executive director of Global Technology at JP Morgan Chase.

Mathur says he has been living in Montgomery for the past 10 years. He completed bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration. He also earned a master’s degree in Data Analytics, and a post-graduate diploma in computer programing and information sciences. “I have a good understanding of diversity and inclusion,” he said at the September 17 school board meeting. “I support women in technology. And I bring an expertise which I can offer the board in the areas of project management and program management, formulating policies and procedures, and standard operating procedures, which I have been working on for the past 20 years. “Also budgets and business case development are some of the other areas of expertise that I have.” ■

Mathur is running on a platform titled “Advocating for Children” with Vanita Nargund (who is running un-opposed for a 2-year term. Learn more at montgomeryschoolchildren.org

Vanita Nargund, a newly appointed Montgomery/Rocky Hill School Board member, is running unopposed for 2-year term.

Nargund was selected in May 2024 from among 20 candidates for an interim position. In just a few months, she says she has actively participated in shaping decisions regarding academic excellence, financial management, and the holistic development of students, gaining a deep understanding of the vital role a board member plays in education. For the past 14 years, Nargund has served as a bookkeeper for the East Brunswick Board of Education, specifically in the Department of Student Services. She says this position has equipped her with a strong understanding of budget management, financial planning, and operational efficiency within an educational setting. She says her expertise in fiscal responsibility and strategic resource allocation is invaluable to her role on the Montgomery School Board. She says she is committed to advocating for all students. She is running unopposed. ■

Nargund is running on a platform titled “Advocating for Children” with Mathur. Learn more at montgomeryschoolchildren.org

Two candidates filed for open three-year seats on Rocky Hill Borough Council. They are running unopposed.

Sharlene Laud

Sharlene Laud is an education advocate with experience as a classroom teacher and higher education professional. Her main focus is supporting the recruitment and retention of individuals pursuing educational goals, she says on LinkedIn. “In my work at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE), I help aspiring teachers complete their licensure requirements through the GSE’s Alternate Route Program,” she said. She has served as a Corps Member of Teach For America in the Houston, Texas area. She is currently assistant director of the Alternative Route at Rutgers Graduate School of Education in New Brunswick. The Alternative Teaching Licensure process is mainly for career changers, recent college graduates, and substitute teachers who wish to launch careers in education. ■

Andrew Jacobson

Andy Jacobson is a retired senior sales executive who has built businesses from the ground up. At large companies like Google and DoubleClick, his LinkedIn page states that he has built $100 mm businesses, hiring and training salespeople and sales management teams. Building businesses, both internal start- ups and brand new enterprises has been a sweet spot, involvement in all phases of growth from raising funds to developing product; hiring and training sales and business development organizations and marketing strategy teams at start-ups like ContextWeb and growing business at well -known brands such as Gannett/ USA Today and Everyday Health. Expertise in selling brands as well as data, cross platform on display, video and mobile device. His last position was as SVP Global Platform SalesSVP Global Platform Sales at Mediaocean. ■