Incumbent Democrat Amanda Santos and Republican challenger Kenneth Kiernan are facing off in the Nov. 4 election for a two-year unexpired term on Lawrence Township Council.
Santos was appointed by the remaining four members of the all-Democratic council to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Councilman John Ryan.
Due to the timing of Ryan’s resignation, Santos’ appointment was only until the seat could be put up for election in November. Whoever is elected will serve out the remaining time left on Ryan’s term.
Also on the ballot are two four-year seats on council and three three-year terms on the Lawrence Township Board of Education.
Running unopposed for the council seats are incumbents Christopher Bobbitt and James Kownacki.
Incumbents Pepper Evans and Mackenzie Kelly and Paul Caparotta are running unopposed for the school board seats.
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The Lawrence Gazette asked each council candidate to supply a biography and write a statement about why they are running and addressing issues facing the township. Those write-ups appear below, starting with the two candidates running for the unexpired two-year term.
School candidate statements are expected to appear in the November issue of The Gazette.
Two-year council seat
Ken Kiernan has lived in Lawrence Township for 35 years. He and his wife, Lisa, have been married for 34 years and have three children — Brianna, Austin and Megan — and four granddaughters: Holly, Madelina, Giulia and Lucy.
Kiernan is a veteran who served 11 years in the U.S. Army and the Air Force Reserve. He remains active with veterans’ issues as a Legionnaire in Lawrence Township.
He attended Mercer County Community College, where he studied nursing and biology. He has served on the Lawrence Township Growth & Redevelopment Committee and currently sits on the Recreation Advisory and Patriotic committees.
He completed the second class of Lawrence Township’s Citizens Police Academy and has taught CPR to summer counselors through the Recreation Department.
Kiernan has been involved in community sports for more than two decades. With the Lawrence Township Baseball/Softball Association, he served as coach, manager, vice president of Little League, safety coordinator, and president and founder of Lawrence Travel Baseball and Softball. Over 22 years, he volunteered more than 10,000 hours.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he developed the association’s safety plan to allow athletes to return to play under CDC guidelines.
In business, Kiernan co-founded Interactive Capture Systems (ICS) 19 years ago. The company began as a contact center reseller in the Mid-Atlantic region and has expanded into a multimillion-dollar national business serving public and private clients across the United States.
Candidate statement: Government should be accessible, accountable and transparent. Lawrence Township operates under a council-manager form of government, guided by the state’s Faulkner Act. Since the last election, the majority of our council members have pledged to prioritize transparency, yet their actions have not reflected this commitment.
Council members have a duty to serve the residents first, not their political parties. To move forward, Lawrence must embrace modern technologies and prioritize AI solutions for all operations. As someone working in the AI field, I believe that by integrating AI and automation, we can significantly improve communication and make it more accurate and effective for our residents.
Public safety needs to be priority one in Lawrence. Lawrence Township is at a crucial juncture when it comes to public safety, particularly in fire and EMS services.
While two studies have been conducted to determine the best approach for fire responses, both have used New Jersey towns as benchmarks. However, New Jersey may not be the ideal model for building an effective and efficient emergency services team. Instead, we should look to more successful fire and EMS structures, such as those in Maryland, to create a stronger, more integrated model.
There are proven models where volunteer and paid teams work together seamlessly in training, response and communication. This collaboration fosters efficiency and ensures a more effective emergency response system.
Additionally, EMS should have a separate command structure, distinct from the fire command, but with the same rank system. This will allow for clearer roles and responsibilities, improving coordination during emergencies.
Communication is the cornerstone of any successful emergency services operation, and it needs to flow effectively both from the top down and the bottom up. This approach will strengthen the chain of command and improve the overall response to emergencies. On another front, our Police Department is currently facing significant challenges. The average number of officers per 1,000 residents in Mercer County is about 2.4, which is below the national standard.
To meet the needs of our growing community, Lawrence Township will need to hire an additional nine officers over the next three to five years. Addressing this gap will help ensure we have the necessary personnel to maintain public safety and protect our residents. By investing in these improvements, adopting best practices for fire and EMS services and strengthening our Police Department, we can create a more robust, responsive and efficient public safety system for Lawrence Township.
Trenton Water Works poses a significant threat to many residents of Lawrence Township, and the lack of action from our local leadership is concerning. Although the Lawrence Township Council initially voiced support for the regionalization of Trenton Water Works, two council members voted against the original letter backing the initiative.
To make matters worse, when three council members attended a public hearing on Trenton Water Works, they remained silent, missing an opportunity to stand up for the people they were elected to represent. This was a pivotal moment for our leaders to take a stand, not only to demonstrate care for Lawrence residents but to firmly tell Trenton Water Works and the Trenton mayor that we demand to have a say in our future. Instead, our representatives remained passive while Lawrence residents are faced with the consequences of years of neglected infrastructure.
Now, we are looking at a projected 60% increase in water rates over the next several years, an increase needed to fix what should have been regularly maintained. Our council members failed in their duty to represent their citizens at this crucial meeting. It makes me question whether their silence was due to loyalty to the Trenton mayor rather than to the people of Lawrence.
This lack of accountability is unacceptable. I am committed to fighting for the regionalization of Trenton Water Works and ensuring that the towns it serves, like Lawrence, have a dedicated, representative board to oversee decisions and hold Trenton accountable. We deserve to have a voice in matters that directly impact our daily lives, and I will work tirelessly to ensure that voice is heard.
Lawrence needs to balance growth while preserving the community’s character. The 1975 Mount Laurel agreement has placed an ongoing and growing burden on townships like Lawrence to continue development without a clear end in sight. Lawrence Township has already agreed to comply with Phase 4, which covers development plans until 2035. While there are currently four properties under consideration for redevelopment — properties that don’t require developers to purchase new land — this approach is reaching its limit.
Beyond these redevelopment opportunities, there is little available land left for further development. Lawrence Township is a beautiful suburban community with a unique character that we should protect. Any future growth beyond this current phase risks altering the very qualities that make our town special. We must ensure that government actions remain in check and avoid the mistakes of places like Cranbury, where eminent domain has been used to seize private property for development, displacing families and small businesses.
The reality is that there simply isn’t enough open land left to accommodate more high-density development outside of redevelopment zones. Our focus should be on preserving the character of Lawrence, ensuring that any development fits with the community’s vision, rather than allowing unchecked growth that threatens to overwhelm the town.
We need to take a firm stand against overdevelopment, push for responsible growth and work to protect Lawrence’s suburban charm. The priority must be on maintaining the quality of life for residents, not caving to pressure for continued expansion that doesn’t align with the town’s best interests.
Fiscal responsibility practices need to stay at a cap, keeping Lawrence affordable. Lawrence Township has managed to keep the tax rate flat for the past two years, despite rising expenses.
However, as we look ahead, we must acknowledge that the future needs of Lawrence, particularly when it comes to infrastructure, public safety, fire and EMS facilities, and technology, will require careful planning and appropriate tax adjustments. We cannot continue holding the tax rate steady without risking depletion of our reserves, or worse, facing a multi-year double-digit tax increase in the near future to make up for the shortfall.
The recent report from the Lawrence Township mayor’s task force, based on feedback from 159 residents, highlights the need for a thoughtful and thorough approach before making any commitments regarding new facilities or services. The township must take the time to properly assess the viability of proposals, such as moving the Recreation Department to a new location or possibly turning a facility over to a nonprofit organization.
These options must be carefully evaluated to ensure they provide real benefits to the community without imposing unnecessary costs. If the township decides to allow a nonprofit to share space with municipal employees, a clear and enforceable framework needs to be established. This framework should ensure the safety of youth and residents, address coordination of programs, and cover building security, maintenance and usage costs for the nonprofits. These agreements must be transparent, fair and structured to ensure the long-term sustainability of the facility.
Additionally, any plans to build out the community center to make it ADA-compliant could potentially cost the township millions of dollars.
The decision-making process for this project must weigh the financial impact on the township and ensure that the benefits extend to all of Lawrence Township. It’s critical that any new offerings align with existing services already provided by Township Recreation, Lawrence Township schools and other local youth programs. This will help avoid redundancy and ensure that resources are used efficiently, enhancing rather than duplicating current offerings.
In short, as we move forward, the decisions made by the town council must be made with careful consideration of long-term sustainability, the impact on residents and the overall benefit to the community. It’s essential that we strike the right balance between necessary growth and preserving the quality of life for all Lawrence residents.
Since the last election, the majority of the Lawrence Township Council has not been making decisions that put our residents first. It’s time for strong leadership — leaders who are truly responsible to the people of Lawrence. Our council members must not only listen but also plan for the future with a vision that ensures prosperity and quality of life for all residents.
I am asking for your vote to bring strong, responsible leadership back to Lawrence Township. If elected, I promise to work collaboratively with the entire council and the township manager to guide Lawrence with honesty, openness and, most importantly, a voice for every resident. I will always prioritize the needs of our citizens over party lines and will fight relentlessly for our community’s best interests.
Together, we can ensure that Lawrence Township remains a place where families can thrive, businesses can grow and our future is one of shared success. Vote for me to bring leadership that listens, leads with integrity and places the well-being of our residents above all else.
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Amanda Santos has lived in Lawrence Township since 2017. She was selected to fill a vacancy on the council in May 2025. She joined the Lawrence Township Public Schools Board of Education in 2021 by appointment and was elected to a full three-year term in November 2022.
She has served as the board’s vice president since 2023. Her term was originally set to end in January 2026.
A graduate of Rider University, Santos holds a bachelor’s degree in music and a master’s degree in vocal pedagogy. In 2022, she obtained a master’s degree in political science from American Public University.
Professionally, Santos is a senior procurement specialist for the New Jersey Department of the Treasury. She is also a part-time small-business owner, operating a private music studio.
Santos and her husband, Daniel, have three children. In addition to her work on the school board, Santos is active in several community groups. She has been a member of Lawrence Neighbors Together, the Lawrence Pride Alliance and her local Girl Scout troop. She also frequently participates in local music recitals and community theater productions.
Candidate statement: Lawrence Township has always felt like home to me, a place where neighbors look out for one another and families can thrive. Serving on the Township Council has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and I am running for re-election to continue working with residents to keep Lawrence welcoming, safe and strong.
When I joined council, I promised to listen, to communicate openly and to help residents feel heard in every decision. From improving how we share information about budgets and capital projects to making sure meetings and updates are easy to follow, that commitment to transparency guides everything I do. In a town as diverse and vibrant as ours, every voice matters.
Responsible spending and smart growth. Lawrence voters recently approved a $94.9 million school referendum to maintain and modernize our schools, reflecting how much we value education. At the municipal level, I believe we must keep a careful eye on spending to avoid adding to residents’ tax burdens. That means scrutinizing every capital project, pursuing grants and shared services, and planning ahead so we meet today’s needs without compromising tomorrow.
Fire safety and emergency response. Public safety is always a top priority. While many conversations are taking place about a possible centralized firehouse, my immediate focus is on ensuring that our fire and emergency services have the staffing, equipment and training they need to respond quickly and effectively. I support continued dialogue with residents, firefighters and experts so that any future facilities plan is thoughtful and fiscally responsible.
Community Center, inclusive recreation and community life. The Lawrence Township Community Center is a cornerstone of civic life. As we look to its future, I am committed to expanding programming for residents of all ages and abilities and to exploring partnerships with county-level social service and wellness programs.
My own background as a professional opera singer and music educator has shown me the power of the arts to bring people together across age, ability and background. Whether performing on stage or leading workshops for young singers, I have seen how music creates community and builds confidence. I will keep working to expand inclusive recreation opportunities — from youth sports and arts programming to outreach that welcomes and engages our many diverse communities — and to ensure that our parks and playgrounds serve residents of all abilities. Building a more connected community strengthens all of us.
Infrastructure and neighborhood safety. Anyone who drives, bikes or walks around town knows how important it is to keep our roads, sidewalks and stormwater systems in good repair. I will advocate for a multi-year plan to repave priority roads, improve pedestrian crossings and strengthen drainage to reduce flooding. Safer routes to schools and parks, along with better stormwater management, will make daily life more comfortable and secure.
Environmental stewardship and sustainability. Lawrence’s natural beauty, from tree-lined neighborhoods to open spaces, is worth protecting. I support projects that reduce our carbon footprint and increase resilience, such as energy-efficient municipal buildings, green infrastructure to absorb stormwater and expanded EV charging options. These investments save money over time and help safeguard the environment for our children and grandchildren.
A community built on listening. My favorite moments on council often come from simple conversations: chatting with parents at Back to School Night, listening to a community member describe a new idea for the Community Center, or hearing from a neighbor about a flooding issue on their street. These conversations remind me why local government matters. The best solutions come from working side by side with the people who live them every day.
Looking ahead, I will continue to focus on fiscal responsibility, public safety, infrastructure, environmental sustainability and inclusive recreation, always guided by the values of transparency and community engagement. Lawrence Township is strong because of its people, including the volunteers, small-business owners, families and seniors who give their time and energy to keep our town vibrant.
It is a privilege to represent the residents of this town, and I would be honored to earn their votes for another term so we can keep building a Lawrence that is safe, welcoming and prepared for the future.
Four-year council seats
Christopher Bobbitt has lived in Lawrence for 21 years and has been a councilman since 2015. He served as mayor once, from 2018 to 2019.
He is a licensed architect with his own office and has been practicing architecture for about 25 years. Bobbitt went to Brentwood High School in Los Angeles and graduated from Stanford University with a degree in urban studies with a focus on architectural design.
Bobbitt then earned a master’s degree in architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. He is the council liaison to the Affordable Housing Board, Shade Tree Advisory Committee and Environmental Green Advisory Committee. Bobbitt is also a member of the Eggerts Crossing Civic League and Sustainable Lawrence.
Candidate statement: When the Gazette’s editor offered me an opportunity to share my thoughts with you, the last question suggested was the one that got me thinking about why I decided to run for a third full term. The question is a simple one: “Why do you believe continued leadership is important right now, and what new challenges do you hope to address in your next term?”
Over the next four years, our community will face three large, complex and potentially defining challenges.
I’ve organized these issues into 1) development pressures arising from the redefinition of the workplace and need for housing, 2) defining and delivering municipal services in a fiscally responsible manner, and 3) continuing the sense of pride and collaboration with municipal staff as people and systems change. I’ll talk about Trenton Water Works separately, as that is not in Township Council’s hands.
The first issue is one of space and character for Lawrence Township. When you have a saying “where nature smiles for 22 miles,” one knows that we take our natural resources and open space seriously. That’s why, over the years, approximately 25%, or 5.5 square miles, have been preserved as parks, open space or farmland. I’m particularly proud of the work that council and the township manager did to add open space to Colonial Lake Park. That’s just one example, as there are other parcels that the township has bought or is looking to enhance.
At the same time, there is a critical need for housing. As Lawrence finishes its work on an updated master plan that incorporates our fourth round of affordable housing obligations, there will be changes to the township. As businesses have moved to remote or hybrid working models, the need for the office buildings along Lenox Drive and Princeton Pike has decreased.
The townhouses and mixed-use apartments being proposed and built in these areas reflect this need. This pressure will continue with proposed housing on the ETS campus, the Lenox Drive business area and other locations. Members of the Planning Board as well as Township Council will need to understand the importance of striking the right balance when reviewing proposed development.
The next issue is defining and delivering municipal services in a fiscally responsible manner. As I wrote four years ago, being a good steward of the township budget and delivering the best value to our residents and businesses is my primary concern on council. As a reminder, in 2024, only 22% of our property taxes went to fund the municipal budget. The school district receives 53.2% and the county 24.8%.
We do a great deal with dedicated staff, but over the next four years we must address the declining numbers of volunteer firefighters by building up the number of paid firefighters and determining what the future of our fire service looks like — either spending money to renovate existing stations or building a new firehouse. Public safety is the primary function of municipal government, but I have to be aware of property tax costs and the impact that it has on residents.
Another question that will need to be resolved is the Community Center and the need for more space for the Recreation Department. Currently, the township-owned center is closed while a new mission and vision are decided upon. That decision will guide us as we dedicate nearly $4 million in needed renovations to bring the building up to current life safety and accessibility standards.
That money is just for the building, and whether it is a recreation or a social services model, there will be added staffing costs. A year has already passed since HomeFront left the building, and I hope that Township Council develops a plan that respects the task force’s recommendations while being mindful of fiscal impacts on the municipal budget.
The third and final critical issue is continuing the sense of pride and collaboration with municipal staff as people and systems change. I have been fortunate to have served on council over the past 10 years with a number of staff who have decades of understanding of our community. We have department heads who work to cross-train their staff to save on salary costs and increase staff capacity. For example, our Public Works director ensures that staff can cut grass in the summer and plow snow in the winter.
Our long-serving, talented directors will eventually retire, and it is vital to plan for personnel changes through mentoring and giving opportunities to employees interested in leadership. Though this is the township manager’s responsibility, it is council’s role during the budget process to understand where spending on staffing leads to a more efficient delivery of municipal services, now and in the future.
The township staff also need to continue to implement innovative technology to improve municipal operations and the sharing of information to enhance transparency and public engagement. I’ve spoken with the township manager and clerk about initiatives they have planned for the future. I’m excited about how we will engage with residents in this connected age.
These are the three complex issues where I see the value of having a councilman with 10 years of experience and 10 previous years of service on township committees and boards. I believe that it is my ability to understand my role on council and how to collaborate with the manager, clerk and staff that has resulted in projects that help the township and the environment.
When I was mayor, I stated that the environment was a focus of mine. With my colleagues on council at the time, we were able to install solar panels at the municipal complex and do it in a way that the residents didn’t have to pay for the infrastructure — just agree to buy the electricity at a favorable price.
I can only imagine the savings that will be achieved over the coming years. We also have electric cars for the use of staff and, through grant funding, have electric chargers for use by both the public and the township. Public Works has an electric mower for our parks that I understand is matching the performance of our gas mowers.
Over the next four years I would like to return to the question of how we travel around our community. Whether it’s walking or biking, we need to think about ways to get around town without a car and how to make those journeys safer for all. We have adopted resolutions in support of policies that work to end traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, accessible mobility for all, like Vision Zero.
I’m also proud of the work I did as mayor to bring council together on complex topics, like the Fair and Welcoming Community resolution in 2018. This resolution, which is posted in the municipal building, gives clear guidance as to how we as a town deliver services to our community. I remember collaborating with council members to craft a resolution that all five could support. Council worked together to support the residents and businesses we have been elected to serve. I hope to continue this work during my next term.
Finally, there is Trenton Water Works, an issue I’ve been involved with since Labor Day weekend of 2017, with the news of elevated levels of lead in some of the utility’s test results. Since then, I have been an advocate for Lawrence to have a say in the operations of the water utility. I spoke at a hearing in the Statehouse about this need in 2018. Yet here we are in 2025 still talking about covering the Pennington Reservoir and addressing other concerns that have been on Trenton’s radar for nearly 50 years.
As someone who has enjoyed water from public utilities for more than 50 years, I am against a privatized water utility and was glad to see the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s report state that privatization is the most expensive option for users like my family. At the same time, the status quo cannot continue with chronic understaffing and little to no capital improvements. That is why I am in favor of a regionalized water utility that gives the majority of customers a voice in the water utility’s operations.
If you’ve read this far, thank you. I could go on, as I love our community, but I’ve been given a 1,500-word limit. So, I’ll end with a warm thank you to the residents of Lawrence Township.
Your support is humbling and reminds me of the responsibility and trust you have given me to make the right decisions for our community. If you see me around town, please say hello. If I’m not out with my family, I usually have time to answer questions you have about our town. I enjoy the conversation as it deepens my fondness for our beloved community.
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James Kownacki has lived in Lawrence for almost 30 years and retired from the Ewing-Lawrence Sewerage Authority after 25.5 years. He is retired from the United States Marine Corps Reserve and U.S. Army Reserve, with 24 years of service.
Kownacki was re-elected in 2018 and served as mayor in 2000 and 2021. Other activities include: a member of American Legion Post 458; a board of directors member for the 112th Artillery Association; and a member of the board of directors for the Ewing-Lawrence Sewerage Authority.
He has also been a trustee for the National Guard Militia Museum, Sea Girt, and liaison to the Lawrence Senior Center.
Candidate statement: Looking back on my current term, I consider teamwork my most important contribution. Whether I had something I thought was important or another council member did, it was teamwork that made it happen.
On the township’s plans for the future of fire safety and the concept of a new central firehouse, this is being reviewed by council at this time. Along with other council members, I am going to do the right thing for all Lawrence residents.
The Lawrence Township Community Center is a vital public space. In September, the study was given to council for review, and in October there will be a meeting with public participation.
When it comes to the $94.9 million school referendum approved by voters, that was brought on by the school district. As a council member, I have no control over school spending. What I can do is my best to control municipal taxes in Lawrence Township for all residents.
On transparency and public engagement, I feel the township is transparent. The budget plan comes under the township manager, who works with the CFO. All departments must come up with a proposed budget for council to review.
As for township roads, pedestrian safety and stormwater infrastructure, we have the best Department of Public Works around. From snow and ice control to pedestrian safety, I feel we are taking care of areas in need and stormwater structures. There are state roads, county roads and township roads here in Lawrence.
For recreation, if you take the time and check out Recreation’s Facebook, you can see everything Recreation has done and more for this township.
Finally, voters ask why continued leadership is important right now. After serving 16 years on Lawrence Township Council — the first two years appointed mayor and a second term appointed mayor — I must be doing something right.
I work to represent all residents of Lawrence Township as a whole. There may be times when some residents don’t like something I do, but then there are times when residents do.
