News and Press
Published in Echoes-Sentinel Sep 1, 2026 WARREN TWP. - Democratic congressional candidate Rebecca Bennett attended a canvass launch at Warren Town Hall with Democratic Township Committee candidates Sam Holden and Will DiGrande on Sunday morning, Aug. 30. Bennett is running in Congressional District 7 and will face incumbent Republican Tom Kean Jr. on the ballot in November. DiGrande and Holden are challenging Republicans Mayor Shaun Fine and Deputy Mayor Vanessa Kian for their seats on the Township Committee.
Published in Echoes-Sentinel Aug 31, 2026 TO THE EDITOR: My neighbors and I have not forgotten how the current Warren leadership failed us during the July 3rd storm. Some of us are still dealing with property damage. It’s a reminder that many of us spent several days without power during a heat wave holiday weekend. We had no access to running water since our wells required power. Aside from dealing with the chaotic aftermath, some of us had to literally dodge falling trees that night. This was a harrowing experience, which, with climate change, is likely to be repeated. Judging by the way our Township Committee handled this, I worry for our community’s safety. It was hard to witness next-door Berkeley Heights receiving timely information regarding JCP&L crew locations and power restoration estimates – basic support expected of any Township Committee. What did Warren get? Not much. We got a mere handful of updates across the town’s website and social media, basically amounting to: We’re working on it. It’s complicated. For this reason, I support Will DiGrande and Sam Holden for Warren Township Committee. Their platform addresses proactive storm water management and clear communication during extreme weather events. A real emergency protocol consisting of frequent updates and working restoration estimates would have prevented a lot of what my neighbors and I went through. With increased weather catastrophes, this could actually be a matter of life and death. Please vote for Will DiGrande and Sam Holden for Warren Township Committee this November. Our safety depends on it. PIOTR OSSOWSKI Northridge Way Warren Twp.
Published in Echoes-Sentinel Aug 5, 2026 WARREN TWP. – Democrats Will DiGrande and Sam Holden are running for Township Committee in November. They won the June Democratic primary as write-in candidates, meaning their names were not on the ballot. But they will be this fall. The pair will face Republican incumbents Mayor Shaun Fine and Deputy Mayor Vanessa Kian. The five-person Township Committee has been entirely Republican for decades, but that hasn’t deterred DiGrande and Holden from dedicating themselves to their campaign. DiGrande unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the committee last year against now-Committeeman Daniel McCarey. The DiGrande Holden campaign has emphasized its intention to “bring bold new leadership” to the township. The candidates “are ready and eager to lead Warren into a new era of responsive local government and transparent decision-making,” a campaign release said. DiGrande is a lifelong resident of Warren and attended the township’s public schools. The campaign release states that DiGrande is “ready to bring his energy and public service knowledge to the committee” and “determined to introduce a new voice and perspective” to the governing body by “fostering a more inclusive and participatory local government, creating opportunities for our youth, and ensuring that every voice is heard.” DiGrande works as an outreach manager for New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District and was previously employed by the state Senate. “As someone who grew up in town, I have witnessed the many challenges Warren has faced as it has grown over the years,” DiGrande said. “My professional involvement in government has given me great insight into strategies that have worked for other areas of New Jersey and that could benefit the residents of this town. I’m excited to bring fresh ideas to the table to serve the people of Warren – my neighbors, friends, and family.” Holden is a father of two young children whose “goal in life is to build a sustainable and affordable future his kids can be proud of,” the campaign release states. He works in medical device manufacturing. “Building tomorrow’s Warren means two things for me: affordability and transparency,” Holden said.
For Immediate Release Warren, NJ July 31, 2026 Will DiGrande & Sam Holden: Ready to Serve Warren The DiGrande Holden campaign announced today their intention to bring bold new leadership to Warren Township. The candidates, Democrats Will DiGrande and Sam Holden, are the clear choice this November for residents who are tired of policies that have saddled Warren with traffic, an incomprehensible master plan, and less-than-optimal public communications. They are ready and eager to lead Warren into a new era of responsive local government and transparent decision-making. DiGrande is a lifelong resident of Warren and a product of our local schools. He is ready to bring his energy and public service knowledge to the committee. He is determined to introduce a new voice and perspectives to the Township Committee by fostering a more inclusive and participatory local government, creating opportunities for our youth, and ensuring that every voice is heard. DiGrande also has the kind of experience and level of commitment Warren needs. He has both state and federal government experience and works for New Jersey residents every day. “As someone who grew up in town, I have witnessed the many challenges Warren has faced as it has grown over the years,” DiGrande said. “My professional involvement in government has given me great insight into strategies that have worked for other areas of New Jersey and that could benefit the residents of this town. I’m excited to bring fresh ideas to the table to serve the people of Warren – my neighbors, friends, and family.” Holden is a father of two young children whose goal in life is to build a sustainable and affordable future his kids can be proud of. He will bring to the committee his experience in medical device manufacturing, which includes collaborating with individuals from all walks of life, managing projects, and removing inefficiencies. Holden is a problem-solver at heart, and he will be a leader in addressing how Warren manages its public-private partnerships, its growth, and its commitment to a cleaner future. “Building tomorrow’s Warren means two things for me: affordability and transparency,” Holden said. “It’s frustrating that prices are rising and our government is not acting to alleviate that. It’s concerning that our local government fails to inform us of crucial updates such as power restoration timelines during our most recent storms. And it’s unacceptable that our local government still does not allow busy residents – people who can't drop everything to drive to town hall – to participate in township committee meetings remotely. I'm excited to propose solutions to these issues that have affected Warren for far too long.” DiGrande and Holden will be powerful, influential voices on the Township Committee. They will represent residents by opening up more channels for communication and transparency, and they will bring fresh, new ideas to the table that reflect the needs of residents. Vote Will DiGrande and Sam Holden for Warren Township Committee in November. ###