Holmdel’s political “silly season” didn’t just arrive, it kicked the door down. In a scene that would make even seasoned political insiders do a double take, Holmdel Democratic powerbroker Kin Gee opened the Ron Emma & Kristin Celauro fundraiser as emcee for the two candidates running in the Republican primary.

Yes. A Democrat headlining an event for “Republicans.” If that doesn’t raise eyebrows, it should. After the Democratic Party failed to run their own candidates, Kin Gee presents Ron Emma & Kristin Celauro as “Republican” solutions for Holmdel. In reality this is just another NJ Democratic coup to take over a Republican town.

If you don’t know Kin Gee, you should. He was a key player in trying to change our form of government to give political ally Greg Buontempo an advantage . . . and more power and control. As many residents remember, the Yes/No vote wasn’t routine; it was a $50,000 taxpayer-funded special election held in July, when most voters were away, and strategically before Buontempo’s last bid to remain in a Township Committee seat. The Yes/No vote aimed at fundamentally changing Holmdel’s form of government to a council-manager system. It also sought to eliminate partisan elections, removing clear party identification and making it harder for voters to distinguish between Republican and Democrat candidates.

Kin Gee set the tone early, rattling off property value statistics meant to alarm homeowners. Holmdel, he claimed, lagged behind Monmouth County citing a 5-year and 10-year appreciation gap (168% vs. 195%) as proof something is wrong.

Elections have consequences, he warned. Who we elect matters, he said.

Well, he’s at least right about that. The TRUTH is that over the past 3 years

Holmdel’s home prices have surged +19.5%, outperforming Monmouth County.

This is a complete turnaround from the Buontempo years, which left Holmdel

trailing the county by -4.7% from 2020–2022. Holmdel’s home values are now 41%

HIGHER than Monmouth County’s. Holmdel has also intentionally resisted the kind of overdevelopment that artificially inflates short-term property values, the very policies many residents moved here to avoid.

Then came the predictable refrain: Taxes go up and up and up; A stunning line from the man who wields significant political influence over the Holmdel School Board … who raised your taxes another 7% this year alone. Hypocrisy at its finest.

Niche raves that this community is “one of the best places to live,” and the stellar data paints a picture of a truly thriving hometown. Niche ranks towns using a data-driven system that combines government statistics—like school performance, crime rates, housing, and income—with millions of resident reviews. Its overall grade (A+ to D-) reflects real-world quality of life, making it a widely trusted benchmark for families, homebuyers, and communities.

Holmdel is a dream come true for families, boasting an A+ overall Niche rating and matching A+ grades for its world-class Schools, Teachers, and College Preparation. The academic excellence is unmatched:

• Top School District: The Holmdel Township School District is the top-ranked district in Monmouth County, boasting a phenomenal A rating.

• Elite High School: Holmdel High School shines with a brilliant A rating.

• Top-Tier Rankings: Within Monmouth County, Holmdel proudly holds the #5 spot for Best Public Schools.

Beyond the classroom, Holmdel offers an extraordinary lifestyle that places it among the elite. It’s officially recognized as the #4 Best Place to Raise a Family and the #8 Best Place to Live in all of Monmouth County.

This vibrant community pairs its exceptional quality of life with remarkable economic strength, featuring a robust median household income of $165,013. With its perfect blend of prestigious schools and a welcoming atmosphere, Holmdel has rightfully earned its status as one of the most sought-after and desirable zip codes in the state!