HILLSBOROUGH, NJ – Following Jill Gomez’s commanding 2025 victory, the Hillsborough Democratic Organization (HDO) announced their 2026 candidates for Township Committee of incumbent Committeewoman Samantha Hand and US Army Veteran and community volunteer Meghann Valeo.

“We could not have two better candidates for Township Committee in Samantha and Meghann, two women who embody Hillsborough’s long history of community volunteerism,” said HDO Chair Michele Kidd. “Whether coaching youth sports, raising funds for our local fire departments, or fighting on foreign battlefields, Hand and Valeo have proven their commitment to public service.”

Samantha Hand was first elected to the Hillsborough Township Committee in 2023 and has been a strong voice against the irresponsible Township spending, fee increases, and ill-considered development by the Republican majority. Hand is a corporate executive who continues to bring to Hillsborough’s government her years of management and leadership experience, along with more than a decade supporting the Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Department, Junior Raiders, Home and School Associations, and other community groups. Samantha and her husband, Matthew, have two daughters in college and three rescue dogs.

Meghann Valeo is a United States Army Veteran who served as a Military Police Platoon Leader in a volatile part of Baghdad while deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005, for which she received a Bronze Star Medal. Meghann is a licensed Professional Engineer (Civil Engineering) in New Jersey, and has served as the President of the Hillsborough Elementary School Home and School Association, the Service Unit 72 Leadership Team for the Hillsborough Girl Scouts, the Hillsborough Band Parent Association, VFW Post 8371 and was honored to be the Grand Marshal for the 2024 Hillsborough Memorial Day Parade. Meghann and her husband Robert are extremely proud to be raising their two daughters and son in Hillsborough.

“Samantha and Meghann understand the true meaning of affordability because they live it, raising families, coaching teams, and supporting neighbors who are feeling the strain of rising costs,” said Somerset County Commissioner Paul Drake, a former Hillsborough Township Committee member. “I’m honored to share the ballot with such high-caliber leaders as I run for reelection this year.”

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