2026 Montgomery Township Committee Candidates
No Edits, No Spin: Montgomery Township Committee Candidates Speak Directly to Voters
Headline News Montgomery is committed to providing fair, accurate and meaningful coverage of the 2026 Montgomery Township Committee election. To give voters a clear picture of each candidate’s priorities, values and vision for our town, we prepared an identical set of questions for all four candidates seeking election or re-election.
Every candidate was given the same opportunity to participate. We placed no word limits and have not edited or altered their responses in any way. At the original submission deadline, two of the four candidates had provided responses. Headline News Montgomery did not receive responses from Chris Venis or George De Sanctis by that deadline, and their profiles were therefore not included in our original presentation. On Sept. 3, HNM received completed responses from both Venis and De Sanctis. Although those responses were submitted after the deadline, we believe Montgomery residents are best served by having the opportunity to read the views of all candidates who chose to participate. We have therefore added their responses to our candidate coverage and are publishing them in full and without editing, under the same conditions provided to the candidates who responded by the original deadline.
We are noting the late submissions solely for transparency and to explain why the two responses were not part of the original publication. No inference should be drawn from the timing of any candidate’s response. What follows are the candidates’ answers, published in full to ensure equal representation, transparency and fairness.
Our goal remains simple: to give Montgomery residents direct insight into the perspectives of those running to serve our community and to encourage informed decisions at the ballot box.
Candidates appear in alphabetical order.
George De Sanctis
The Basics
How long have you lived in Montgomery?
What brought you and your family to Montgomery?
Our family moved to Montgomery, New Jersey in June of 2001. We visited numerous areas and chose Montgomery because of the school system and plentiful green spaces.
I was offered an executive position in drug pharma and my wife, Julia, accepted a position at Princeton Radiology Associates. This marks a quarter century as residents of Montgomery!
How Would You Serve
1) What is the single most important issue facing Montgomery during the next three years, and what would you do about it if elected?
2) What township infrastructure issue do you believe has received insufficient attention, and how would you propose addressing it?
3) What, if anything, would you change about the way township government communicates with residents and includes the public in major decisions?
Taxes are unreasonably high in our township and coupled with the high cost of owning a home, many existing residents are being priced out and forced to move to more tax friendly states with lower costs of living. Our township committee has to more proactively encourage companies to move to our township so that our property tax burden can be shifted away from residents. To that end, I would encourage companies to set up data centers in Montgomery. A great deal of misinformation and fear mongering has been circulated both from within our country and from foreign sources to discourage the US from becoming a leader in the AI world. We currently have a company that wishes to use the existing Kenvue site to set up a data center in a manner that would not draw from our power grid and would use existing water supplies in a responsible manner. Noise abatement would minimize disturbance to both wildlife and residents alike. There are many of these centers currently in Virginia that have been operational for many years and can greatly increase tax revenue to offset our residential taxes. AI is here and will become increasingly a major part of our economy. To hinder it, would simply provide enormous economical advantage to other states.
Secondly, we are continually losing our green spaces to developers. The township has to more aggressively preserve and enhance our existing green spaces to the benefit of our residents. For example, Montgomery could benefit from the expansion of recreational facilities such as pickle ball courts and a community pool. Princeton’s pool is a blessing to their community and heavily used by their residents. The creation of more hiking paths improvement of existing trails would be welcomed by our residents and bring visitors from outlying areas who could, in turn, bring increased revenue to our existing business.
The communication of our existing township government has been dismal at best and many of the meetings have been held at times not conducive for attendance or held behind closed doors. This does not favor trust in our local government and leads to poor decision making and costly mistakes and litigation. The affordable housing debacle surrounding the Kenvue site is a prime example of all of the things that could possibly go wrong. Terrible communication and engagement with the community. I would encourage a more open dialogue with the community and dissemination of proposals and solicitation of community opinions by mass mailings to Montgomery residents so that no residents are left behind.
The Person Behind the Candidate
1) What is something about you that Montgomery residents may be surprised to learn?
Most Montgomery residents are unaware that I was born in Guatemala in Central America. My family moved around the world and I ended up residing in Canada and then pursuing my academic training in Boston, Massachusetts at Harvard Medical School. My many travels opened up my mind to varying viewpoints about life and culture and showed me how learning and speaking many languages breaks down barriers between different ethnic groups. These were formative years that shaped my character and developed me as a leader and team builder, inspiring others in my sphere of influence to find joy and great satisfaction in medical research.
2) What do you enjoy doing when you are not working or volunteering?
I am currently retired and find great satisfaction in gardening and outdoor activities. Our medical issues unfortunately increase with age and I have taken it upon myself to foster a more healthy and active lifestyle. I have also developed deep relationships with our four children and my wife and I have engaged them in many adventures over the years that have taken us to numerous international travels. There can be no greater “job” in my mind than loving and empowering our children to be good citizens of the world.
Empathetic, kind and always lending a hand to those in need, values we should all adhere to.
3) Finish this sentence: “People who know me well know that I…”
People who know me well know that I always speak my mind with conviction and after considering all viewpoints. What you see is what you get. That being said, those who know me best, know that I am always willing to adopt new opinions based on factual input from reliable sources.
Describe yourself in three words - Principled, determined and trustworthy.
My parents were great role models who bestowed on me many of the values that have guided my successes in life both as a husband but also as a father to our four children.
Like many of us, my parents had their faults and blessings. We adopt their best practices and try not to make the mistakes that they made. We continuously adapt to a changing world and try to incorporate positive influences into who we are and offload baggage that hinders our development as productive human beings.
Rapid Fire
Favorite subject in school:
My favorite subject in school was science. As a child and throughout my life, I was always fascinated by the workings of the human body and how research and medicine could improve the health and in turn, the lives of others.
A book everyone should read:
“Plato’s Republic” is a book that comes to mind that everyone should read. It describes the soul’s journey from ignorance to enlightenment or in a more simplistic manner, becoming “good” and just citizens who contribute collectively to a better ordered society. This enlightenment incorporates both intellectual thought and the acquisition of moral values.
Early bird or night owl:
I was a night owl most of my life but have in recent years become an early bird. I now believe that our most productive time is born out of the very early hours of the morning,
One word that describes Montgomery:
“Idyllic” A place of beautiful green spaces, unspoiled charm, where I can feel at peace and appreciate the coexistence of different cultures.
The township job you would most like to try for one day:
The township job I would most like to try for one day is Grounds keeper. I have an enormous respect and admiration for those who beautify our parks and open spaces. This is a job that is underappreciated and devalued by some. I am deeply thankful for their efforts and would gladly work alongside them.
Doug Herring
The Basics
How long have you lived in Montgomery?
19 years in October
What brought you and your family to Montgomery?
My wife Christine and I met and got married in Los Angeles. When she was offered a job at the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University, we came to New Jersey.
Christine’s parents had lived in Montgomery, and we knew of this amazing town with a very special community and outstanding schools.
My office is here on Wall Street, across from the airport. My two daughters were born here, and they attend Upper Middle School and High School.
How would you serve?
What is the single most important issue facing Montgomery during the next three years, and what would you do about it if elected?
The single biggest issue is protecting Montgomery's tax base as it loses its largest historic ratables. Johnson & Johnson and then Kenvue carried a significant share of the township's commercial tax burden while they operated the Grandview Road campus, but both are gone. New retail like Whole Foods helps offset that, but it does not come close to replacing 257 acres of corporate/industrial ratables.
A developer purchased the property and has filed several lawsuits against Montgomery, including one challenging the township’s data center ban. Regardless of the outcome, Montgomery needs a realistic plan for the site that rebuilds the tax base without adding the traffic, water, and noise impacts residents have already opposed.
If elected, I would support the township's ban on data centers while pushing the committee to work with the developer to find a specific, ratable-generating reuse plan so the township is not relying on one property to solve a structural tax problem again in five years.
What township infrastructure issue do you believe has received insufficient attention, and how would you propose addressing it?
Montgomery runs its own sewer utility with four advanced treatment plants, seventeen pumping stations, and over 56 miles of sewer line, which were first installed decades ago. This system has been in an ongoing improvement for several years. What has not gotten enough public attention is whether the system has capacity to absorb new developments.
If elected, I would push to make sure any pending development does not overwhelm the capacity for our high-quality wastewater treatment. Montgomery discharges into smaller waterways, so the standard must stay very high. In fact, the current improvements are already planned to result in the highest possible quality of wastewater treatment, and we need to make sure this continues.
What, if anything, would you change about the way township government communicates with residents and includes the public in major decisions?
In today's world, everyone faces an overwhelming landslide of information. I believe that the information from Montgomery is often buried and many residents never find out about the important decisions.
When I was a prosecutor, I learned that a jury needs the critical information delivered clearly and repeatedly.
I would apply that same discipline to township communication. Important issues should be highlighted and repeated. Residents should not find out about decisions that may affect their taxes and their town only after the decisions are finalized. We need to highlight critical information clearly and repeatedly, so the residents know how to participate in the decisions.
The Person behind the candidate
What is something about you that Montgomery residents may be surprised to learn?
I have volunteered with Montgomery EMS for over 15 years, and I was the captain at one time.
My oldest daughter just passed the EMT test, and she will be a high school cadet this year.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working or volunteering?
Photography. I have taken photos for my daughter’s teams, which include field hockey, basketball, volleyball, track & field, and flag football.
Finish this sentence: “People who know me well know that I...”
… enjoy talking to people.
Describe yourself in three words—and explain one of them.
Outgoing
Friendly
Curious – I find people interesting and I like to hear their ideas. As part of the township committee, I have listened to and learned a great deal from many people.
Rapid Fire
Favorite subject in school:
Science
A book everyone should read:
That is a hard question for me because I like to read both fiction and non-fiction. I recently read and have been recommending Call Sign Chaos by retired Marine Corp General James Mattis. I learned that he too is an avid reader. In that book he wrote, “If you haven't read hundreds of books, you are functionally illiterate, and you will be incompetent, because your personal experiences alone aren't broad enough to sustain you.”
Instead of saying read one book, I suggest you go to our amazing library and ask our fantastic librarians for several books you should read.
Early bird or night owl:
Night ow
One word that describes Montgomery:
Community
The township job you would most like to try for one day:
I would dream of setting off the fireworks for the Fourth of July celebration.
Patricia Taylor Todd
The Basics
How long have you lived in Montgomery?
My family and I have lived in Montgomery since 2017.
What brought you and your family to Montgomery?
We moved to Montgomery in 2017 as our older son was entering college and our family was ready to downsize. Although we moved from just ten minutes away, we discovered Montgomery as a hidden gem. Like many families, we chose Montgomery because we were looking for a strong community and excellent schools, but we were also drawn to Montgomery’s natural beauty, diversity, open space, and reputation as a thoughtful, family-centered community.
Our experience here also shaped my path to public service. After we relocated, my younger son had a difficult transition into the Montgomery school system. My husband and I had to advocate, ask hard questions, navigate systems, and build the right supports to help him succeed. That experience deepened my understanding that even in a strong community, families need leaders who listen, understand complexity, and know how to help systems work better for people. That is part of why I serve.
How Would You Serve
1) What is the single most important issue facing Montgomery during the next three years, and what would you do about it if elected?
I believe the single most important issue facing Montgomery over the next three years is managing growth — especially land use and long-term community planning — in a way that protects our quality of life.
Montgomery is a beautiful and desirable community, but that also means we must be thoughtful and strategic about development, traffic, open space, infrastructure, affordable housing obligations, recreation, and municipal services. The choices we make about land use, infrastructure, and community planning in the next few years will shape Montgomery for decades.
If reelected, I would continue to approach these issues with practical judgment, transparency, and a focus on long-term impact. That means listening to residents, asking the right questions, working collaboratively with my Township Committee colleagues and township professionals, and making decisions based on facts, values, fiscal responsibility, and the best interests of the community.
My goal is not to stop change. Change is inevitable. My goal is to help Montgomery manage change well, so that we preserve what people love about our town while planning responsibly for the future.
2) What township infrastructure issue do you believe has received insufficient attention, and how would you propose addressing it?
I believe pedestrian safety and traffic-related infrastructure deserve continued and greater attention. Montgomery residents regularly raise concerns about speeding, congestion, walkability, and safe access to schools, parks, businesses, neighborhoods, and community spaces.
This is not just a traffic issue. It is a quality-of-life issue, a public safety issue, and a family issue. Residents should be able to move around town safely, whether they are driving, walking, biking, pushing a stroller, or helping an older family member get around.
I would support continued investment in pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, including sidewalks, crosswalks, traffic-calming measures, improved signage, and safer connections between neighborhoods and key destinations. I would also support working closely with county and state partners where roads or intersections are not fully under township control.
The practical challenge is that infrastructure improvements take planning, money, coordination, and persistence. My approach would be to prioritize the areas of greatest safety concern, seek grants and outside funding where available, communicate clearly with residents about what is possible and what takes time, and keep pushing for improvements that make daily life safer and easier.
3) What, if anything, would you change about the way township government communicates with residents and includes the public in major decisions?
I believe Montgomery has made real efforts to communicate effectively with residents, but there is always room to improve. Local government should not only provide information; it should make information understandable, timely, accessible, and useful.
I would like to see continued improvement in plain-language communication around major decisions. Residents should understand what is being considered, why it matters, what the process is, when they can provide input, and how their feedback will be considered. In my experience, too often, government information is technically available but not easy to digest unless someone already knows how local government works.
I also believe we should continue broadening outreach beyond the residents who regularly attend meetings or follow township updates closely. Montgomery is diverse, busy, and multigenerational. People receive information in different ways. We should use multiple channels, including email, the township website, social media, community partners, public meetings, and targeted outreach when major decisions affect particular neighborhoods or groups.
Public engagement should happen early enough to be meaningful. Residents may not always agree with every decision, but they deserve to feel respected, informed, and heard.
The Person Behind the Candidate
What is something about you that Montgomery residents may be surprised to learn?
Residents may be surprised to learn that I consider my personal theme song to be “I’m Every Woman.” This song fits my personality, my life, and the numerous roles I play: mother, wife, public servant, executive coach, attorney, mediator/arbitrator, community volunteer, problem-solver, and honestly, chief plate-spinner.
I bring seriousness and integrity to my public service, but I also bring humor, energy, and a deep belief that leadership should be human.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working or volunteering?
When I am not working or volunteering, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, music, good conversation, time near the water, and sitting outside on my deck. My life is full, so I deeply appreciate moments that help me recharge, and spaces that feel beautiful, welcoming, and peaceful.
Finish this sentence: “People who know me well know that I…”
People who know me well know that I am warm but direct, and that I will ask the practical question, find the human issue underneath the surface issue, and always try to help people move forward toward a better outcome.
They also know that I care deeply, I laugh easily, and I am usually thinking three steps ahead.
Describe yourself in three words—and explain one of them.
Collaborative. Practical. Resilient.
I choose “practical” to explain because it is central to how I lead. I believe values matter, but values also have to be translated into decisions, budgets, policies, services, and results. Whether I am working as an attorney, mediator, executive coach, or elected official, I try to focus on what will actually help people, reduce unnecessary conflict, and move the work forward.
Rapid Fire
Favorite subject in school:
English and French.
A book everyone should read:
The Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes.
Early bird or night owl:
I wish I could say early bird, but by life necessity, I’m mostly a night owl.
One word that describes Montgomery:
Rooted.
The township job you would most like to try for one day:
No one should get nervous, but maybe Township Administrator! It would be interesting to experience, up close, leading the day-to-day complexity of coordinating the operations, people, priorities, and problem-solving that keep our local government running.
Chris Venis
The Basics
How long have you lived in Montgomery?
What brought you and your family to Montgomery?
Montgomery has always held a special place in my heart, with its wonderful history. I worked at a horse farm as a teenager in Montgomery and always loved the rural settings. I moved to the wonderful village of Blawenburg eight years ago because of its unique historical and architectural setting. I have two adult children; my son graduated college four years ago and works in the recreation field. My daughter is currently completing her neuroscience degree with plans on entering a Ph.D program. Both are record setting and All Conference Collegiate lacrosse players.
How Would You Serve
1) What is the single most important issue facing Montgomery during the next three years, and what would you do about it if elected?
The most important issue facing Montgomery is the significant lack of transparency from the current Township Committee. This has led to several other issues that I believe are a direct result of poor communication with residents.
The affordable housing controversy that came to a head in 2025 is a prime example. My running mate, George De Sanctis, and I, along with many concerned residents and community groups, helped bring the issue to the forefront. The strong response from residents ultimately forced the Township Committee to reverse its plans for the Kenvue site.
The Township Committee has since rejected the options offered by the property owner, and the developer is now suing the Township for $300 million. This is exactly the type of situation where residents deserve greater transparency about the options being considered, the potential consequences and the decisions being made on their behalf.
Most recently, the property owner proposed a data center, which the Township rejected. I believe a data center has merit if the developer makes significant environmental and infrastructure commitments to Montgomery. I would demand that environmental concerns be addressed and that Montgomery residents receive priority for career opportunities created at the facility. I would also seek a significant dedicated financial contribution from the property owner to support the Township, potentially helping fund our police department and emergency services.
More importantly, I would bring the public into these discussions much earlier. I propose forming a Citizens Advisory Committee to study major municipal issues and provide residents with a meaningful voice before decisions are made.
I also believe we should study whether Montgomery's current form of government still serves its residents well. Most residents do not realize they cannot directly elect their mayor. Instead, the Township Committee selects the mayor from among its members. With one-party control of the Township Committee, a significant portion of Montgomery does not feel represented in local government.
Residents deserve greater transparency, greater participation and a stronger voice in the decisions that affect their community and their tax dollars.
2) What township infrastructure issue do you believe has received insufficient attention, and how would you propose addressing it?
One Township infrastructure issue that has not received sufficient attention is the preservation of green space. Protecting Montgomery’s open space and rural character is a major concern, and I believe the current Township Committee has not given it the attention it deserves.
Our municipal employees, police, fire and rescue squads also need strong backing from the Township. Last year, I pushed the Township Committee to resolve the police contract after more than a year without an agreement. The men and women who work for and protect our community deserve better support and greater respect from their local government.
3) What, if anything, would you change about the way township government communicates with residents and includes the public in major decisions?
One thing I would change about the way Township government communicates with residents would be to create a Citizens Advisory Board to help guide the direction of the Township, particularly on major issues involving land use and planning.
There has been a significant lack of communication with residents. This past year, during the highly emotional affordable housing debate, the Township Committee held important meetings during the day when many working residents could not attend, and even held a meeting during the Township’s annual fireworks celebration.
Residents deserve to be informed and involved before major decisions are made, not after the fact. A Citizens Advisory Board would give residents a greater voice and create another level of transparency and accountability in Township government.
The Person Behind the Candidate
What is something about you that Montgomery residents may be surprised to learn?
Montgomery residents might be surprised to learn that I have several Wine Master degrees, with a focus on the wines of France and California.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working or volunteering?
I enjoy coaching lacrosse and owning thoroughbred race horses.
Finish this sentence: “People who know me well know that I…
People who know me know that I am loyal, honest and care deeply about people in need. I believe compassion is significantly lacking in today’s society. Sometimes something as simple as a smile, a hello or a brief conversation could be exactly what someone going through a difficult time needs.
Rapid Fire
Favorite subject in school:
History
Book Everyone should read:
“The Art of War”
Early Bird or Night Owl?
I have always been a night owl, staying up as a child waiting for my mom to return home from working the midnight shift. Recently a new career path has turned me into an early bird, waking up at 4:30 am. I find that now I do love the quiet time that allows me to get focused for the day.
One word that describes Montgomery:
Crossroads
Township job I’d like to try:
I’d like to work for the road department and get to drive some cool machinery