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Belmar Democrats Announce 2026 Mayoral And Council Candidate
Councilwoman Caitlin Donovan to run for mayor; Johanna Roper-Robinson to run for council
February 17, 2026 (Belmar, NJ) – With great excitement, the Belmar Democrats announced their nominees to the Belmar Council and mayoral race today, endorsing Councilwoman Caitlin Donovan for mayor and Johanna Roper-Robinson for council.
“These candidates are deeply rooted in this community they love and have a vision for how to bring Belmar forward,” said John Walsh, chairman of the Belmar Democrats. “Their candidacies have already generated so much excitement and we are eager to hit the ground running. ”
Councilwoman Caitlin Donovan first became known for her leadership on the Stop Verizon campaign, which generated massive community resistance to a previously-approved proposal to construct 20 cell towers on Ocean Avenue. Elected with record levels of bipartisan support, she serves on the Environmental Commission, Tourism Commission and Harbor Commission.
“I believe in service, I believe in Belmar and I believe in our residents,” said Councilwoman Donovan. “I’ve worked hard to bring people together, build coalitions and achieve tangible goals. Together we’ve already accomplished so much. There’s so much more to do, though, which is why I’m running for mayor.”
In her first term on Council, she has:
Johanna Roper-Robinson owned and operated Timeless Treasures Hand Painted Furniture and Unique Accessories on Main Street in Belmar. As part of the business community, she brings a unique understanding of what the borough can do to help businesses thrive.
“Johanna’s perspective as a lifelong Belmar resident and a former Main Street business owner is invaluable as we put together a deliberate strategy to attract and support local businesses,” said Donovan. “She’s inarguably one of the most engaged residents in the borough and will be an incredible addition to the Council.”
Ms. Roper-Robinson’s leadership extends beyond the business community and into multiple civic organizations. She has served on the Belmar Public Library’s Board of Trustees for 10 years, where she oversees the library’s budget, maintenance and its many events. As a member of the Planning Board, she is responsible for reviewing the borough’s master plan and making recommendations to guide growth.
“If there’s an opportunity to help others, I think it’s our responsibility to step up,” said Roper-Robinson. “It’s an honor to be able to serve Belmar in so many different ways - helping young people with their education, supporting our seniors, fortifying our library and planning responsibly for our future – and I’m ready to use all of this experience on the Council.”
As the vice president and education chair of the Belmar Woman’s Club, she has helped to raise over $75,000 in scholarships for Belmar students. Inaugurated this year to the Board of Commissioners of the Belmar Housing Authority, she has already established herself as a tireless advocate on behalf of Belmar’s seniors. “We are ready to move Belmar forward,” said Roper-Robinson.
For more news and updates, follow our candidates at @BelmarForward on social media.
Councilwoman Caitlin Donovan to run for mayor; Johanna Roper-Robinson to run for council
February 17, 2026 (Belmar, NJ) – With great excitement, the Belmar Democrats announced their nominees to the Belmar Council and mayoral race today, endorsing Councilwoman Caitlin Donovan for mayor and Johanna Roper-Robinson for council.
“These candidates are deeply rooted in this community they love and have a vision for how to bring Belmar forward,” said John Walsh, chairman of the Belmar Democrats. “Their candidacies have already generated so much excitement and we are eager to hit the ground running. ”
Councilwoman Caitlin Donovan first became known for her leadership on the Stop Verizon campaign, which generated massive community resistance to a previously-approved proposal to construct 20 cell towers on Ocean Avenue. Elected with record levels of bipartisan support, she serves on the Environmental Commission, Tourism Commission and Harbor Commission.
“I believe in service, I believe in Belmar and I believe in our residents,” said Councilwoman Donovan. “I’ve worked hard to bring people together, build coalitions and achieve tangible goals. Together we’ve already accomplished so much. There’s so much more to do, though, which is why I’m running for mayor.”
In her first term on Council, she has:
- Created the Silver Lake Subcommittee to address flood prevention and environmental restoration, securing over $1.5 million in grants and funding by working with our local, state and federal elected officials;
- Partnered with our neighboring towns and Monmouth County as a founding member of the Shark River Roundtable, bringing in a $292,773.25 grant with specific funds earmarked for Belmar;
- Served as liaison to the business community through the Tourism Commission, highlighting the needs of our local business owners and advocating on their behalf when the state closed the Main Street bridge;
- Raised money through the Harbor Commission for capital funds, bringing down Belmar’s debt burden and strategically planning for its future; and
- Led the charge for infrastructure planning, working for a fully developed plan that included funding sources to pave Belmar’s roads and address its water mains.
Johanna Roper-Robinson owned and operated Timeless Treasures Hand Painted Furniture and Unique Accessories on Main Street in Belmar. As part of the business community, she brings a unique understanding of what the borough can do to help businesses thrive.
“Johanna’s perspective as a lifelong Belmar resident and a former Main Street business owner is invaluable as we put together a deliberate strategy to attract and support local businesses,” said Donovan. “She’s inarguably one of the most engaged residents in the borough and will be an incredible addition to the Council.”
Ms. Roper-Robinson’s leadership extends beyond the business community and into multiple civic organizations. She has served on the Belmar Public Library’s Board of Trustees for 10 years, where she oversees the library’s budget, maintenance and its many events. As a member of the Planning Board, she is responsible for reviewing the borough’s master plan and making recommendations to guide growth.
“If there’s an opportunity to help others, I think it’s our responsibility to step up,” said Roper-Robinson. “It’s an honor to be able to serve Belmar in so many different ways - helping young people with their education, supporting our seniors, fortifying our library and planning responsibly for our future – and I’m ready to use all of this experience on the Council.”
As the vice president and education chair of the Belmar Woman’s Club, she has helped to raise over $75,000 in scholarships for Belmar students. Inaugurated this year to the Board of Commissioners of the Belmar Housing Authority, she has already established herself as a tireless advocate on behalf of Belmar’s seniors. “We are ready to move Belmar forward,” said Roper-Robinson.
For more news and updates, follow our candidates at @BelmarForward on social media.
Vote by MailVoting by mail makes voting quick and easy. There is no need to come out on Election Day. You will fill out an application and a few weeks before Election Day you will receive your ballot in the mail.
Download the form from MonmouthCountyVotes Mail your application to: Monmouth County Clerk of Elections 300 Halls Mill Road Freehold, New Jersey 07728 
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Register to VoteIn New Jersey, you can register to vote up until 21 days before election day. The form below must be printed, filled out, signed, and returned to the County Commissioner of Registration.
Download the form from MonmouthCountyVotes Mail the form to: Monmouth County Superintendent of Elections 300 Halls Mill Road Freehold, New Jersey 07728 
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