Two seniors at The College of New Jersey are stepping into local government roles after recently winning seats in their hometown elections.
Andrew LoMonte ’27 and Nick Stella ’27, both highly involved in their communities, will serve on the Bloomfield Board of Education and the Marlboro Township Town Council, respectively, bringing fresh perspectives to their local governments.
LoMonte, a political science major and Bloomfield native, was elected to the Bloomfield Board of Education, becoming one of the youngest officials to ever serve on the nine-member body. Motivated by a long-standing commitment to public service, LoMonte said he ran to ensure students and families feel heard in district decision-making.
“I grew up in these schools and I understand what students need today,” he said. “I want to make sure all voices, especially young voices, are represented.”
LoMonte campaigned as part of a multigenerational slate and spent months knocking on doors, attending community events, and engaging residents on issues like transparency and communication between the district and families.
On Election Day, LoMonte stood outside his polling place, which happened to be the elementary school he attended as a child. The memory brought him back to second grade, when the school lacked a playground. He and his friends rallied their families and local businesses to raise the money for a new one — a project that would teach him the power of collective action at just eight years old.
“It was a full-circle moment for me,” LoMonte said. “I was standing outside the same school, working to make a difference in the community just like I did as a kid. It really hit me how much can change when people come together for a common goal.”
Further south, Stella, a secondary education and history major, won a seat on the Marlboro Township Council. Stella ran a highly hands-on campaign, ousting an incumbent in a contested primary before winning the general election on a platform focused on responsible development and government accountability.
Stella’s interest in politics started at a young age, too. He recalls being a fifth grader during the 2016 presidential election and while most kids his age were tuning into YouTube videos, he was watching Republican primary debates. His political curiosity only grew from there.
“I remember flipping between Minecraft videos and watching debates,” he said. “I guess it was a little unusual for a middle schooler, but I was hooked. I grew up in a political environment, and I just got sucked into it.”
Stella said his own campaign demanded constant outreach including knocking on doors and attending local events. “If you want people to take you seriously, you have to show up again and again,” he said. “That’s how you earn trust.”
His age became a target for opponents, who questioned whether a 19-year-old could manage the responsibilities of local government. But Stella said the criticism only strengthened his resolve. “They tried to trick people into thinking I was just some dumb college kid,” he said. “But voters saw that wasn’t the case. Nothing is more gratifying than knowing the same ‘kid’ they discounted trounced them on election day.”
Both students say their victories reflect a growing appetite among residents for new ideas and younger perspectives in local leadership. As they begin their terms, LoMonte and Stella remain focused on the same goal: serving their hometown communities while continuing their education at TCNJ.
— Emily W. Dodd ’03