Vince Barragan for Montgomery Township Committee, In His Own Words

The 2025 Montgomery Township Committee Candidates

The Montgomery News | October 9, 2025

Four candidates are running for two open seats on the Montgomery Township Committee, following a summer of crowded meetings concerning the township's plan to build a high-density affordable housing development on the former J&J/Kenvue corporate site in Skillman. The current committee of five Democratic members are united on the issue, and say they are seeking alternatives.

The local chapter of the League of Women Voters and The Montgomery News invited all township committee candidates to a participate a candidates' forum during the month of October - as has been held in the past. All four candidates declined.

The candidates' answers in this "In Their Own Words" series are unedited. The Montgomery News is donating this space.

Vince Barragan at Run with Rotary.

Vince Barragan

Corporate Finance Executive

Barragan currently serves as deputy mayor on the Montgomery Township Committee. He works for Integra LifeSciences, and has lived in town since 2016. He and his wife, Cathy, have two children.

Education, Career, Family

2000-2004: US Army Infantry Officer – Combat Deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 173rd Airborne Brigade; Earned Combat Infantryman Badge and Bronze Star Medal.

2004 – Present: Healthcare Corporate Finance Executive at Johnson & Johnson (Pharmaceutical,  MedTech and Corporate Sectors) and currently at Integra Lifesciences.

2022 – Present: Montgomery Township Committee Member. Selected by my peers to serve as Deputy Mayor since 2024.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing & Economics, Minor in Politics, New York University Stern School  of Business; Army ROTC – Fordham University; Graduate of the US Army Ranger, Airborne, and Jumpmaster schools; MBA – University of Florida; Graduate of Leadership Somerset – Somerset County government leadership program; Raised  $10k to create sustainable community garden for veterans housed at Lyons VA campus.

Family/Personal: Born and raised in New Jersey (Union County); Both my parents immigrated to the United States, achieved the American Dream and instilled a  strong sense of patriotism — Mother is from Cuba and father is from Ecuador. Spouse: Cathy. Two children: Vincent and Valerie. Doggie: Lily (Maltese/Yorkie mix). We moved to Montgomery in 2016 and live in the Montgomery Ridge community 

Three Main Issues

These are consistent to my 2022 campaign even as we’ve made great strides in these areas:

Build for the Future – I championed Montgomery’s first increase in police officers in over 15 years, brought back the role of Chief of Police and our participation in the ARRIVE program  (partnering social counselor with uniformed police officer) to meet the increase in mental health calls across our community. 

When Kenvue announced they were selling their site, I proactively collaborated with our Open Space Committee to identify priority tracts of land (100+ acres) critical to sustaining the Sourlands and made sure their conservation was incorporated into our initial Affordable Housing Plan. I will continue to ensure all our government’s decisions are in the best,  long-term interests of our residents.

Fiscal Responsibility – I have chaired the Budget & Finance Committee and have delivered  budgets well below the rate of inflation while making investments in our community, not cutting any  services and increasing our surplus, which I directed to be used to fund emergency overtime and debris removal for all residents who applied after the crazy storm on September 6.  Additionally, I’ve been successful in working with our state legislators to bring funding to Montgomery – most  recently $500,000 to support improvements at the Otto Kaufmann Center this past summer.  I’ve prioritized the needs of Montgomery’s taxpayers throughout multiple union contract negotiations while recognizing the need to attract and retain talented individuals to serve our residents.

Montgomery for Everyone – I’ve built strong relationships across our township and always listen to all our diverse communities, veterans and individuals on the right, left, and in the middle. I and the Township Committee listened to and incorporated our community’s feedback on our Round 4 affordable housing plan and greatly enhanced our communication strategy by deploying town halls, presentations, listening sessions, etc. I will continue to build on these experiences and relationships to ensure everyone who lives, works and steps foot in our township feels welcomed and that they belong. 

Top Issue

The state-mandated reassessment:

The state-mandated reassessment goes into effect in 2028. We need solutions-oriented, experienced leaders to effectively manage this process and search for every opportunity to enhance our  already strong financial position to minimize its impact on all residents.

My plan if reelected: 

1. Ensure the strictest of financial discipline by controlling spend as new ratables come online (ex. Montgomery Promenade). That extra revenue can help us flatten and potentially lower taxes to  minimize the impact of residents who’ve lived in Montgomery for a significant time.

2. Enhance our community outreach to ensure every resident who is eligible for ANCHOR and Stay in NJ property tax rebate programs is signed up. 

3. Work with the School Board and County/State tax boards to ensure Rocky Hill residents pay their fair share of Montgomery school taxes. 

4. Leverage my strong, value-based relationships with our county and state leaders to bring in funding to minimize property tax increases.

5. Create an ad hoc, community-based advisory committee and deploy a multi-year communication  strategy so all residents are aware of the process and next steps.

ICE/Immigration Question: 

As a son and husband of immigrants, I’m incredibly sensitive to the recent  dangers posed by ICE and their apparent lack of due process for all individuals (undocumented, permanent  residents, Veterans/Citizens). 

I’m a staunch supporter of the Immigrant Trust Act and strongly feel that our local police officers’ primary responsibility is public safety – not supporting non-criminal federal actions. I and current members of the Township Committee stand ready to support for any resident impacted by current ICE actions and who have not been given their constitutionally protected due process. I also ask Montgomery to rally and support any local family and children who have been impacted – same way I saw  residents support their neighbors during the September 6 storm. 

Differentiation

I have 3.5 years of experience on the Township Committee (twice unanimously selected by my peers to serve as Deputy Mayor). I’ve learned so much and have built so many relationships that I intend to fully leverage in a second term. I also feel strongly my experience as a Combat Veteran provides me with a  unique experience of collaboration and leadership in the toughest of circumstances. ■

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