Hammonton First: A Local Movement That Redefined Small-Town Politics

Co-Founder & President, 2005-2023

TL;DR

• Born from frustration over unresponsive leadership, Hammonton First became America’s longest-running independent local party.

• A grassroots group of 11 citizens transformed outrage into organized action.

• Twenty years later, the movement still governs with transparency, unity, and progress at its core.

In 2005, Hammonton, NJ faced a divisive decision: where to build a new town hall. The debate seemed about a building, but it revealed something deeper about the town’s future. A young community leader, alongside ten fellow residents, watched elected officials dismiss public input with a phrase that would ignite change: “First we’ll vote, then we’ll listen to the people.”

That moment sparked a movement. Within days, those 11 residents, ranging from a twenty-something campaign coordinator to an eighty-year-old decorated World War II pilot, formed what would become Hammonton First, a grassroots independent political party built on listening, transparency, and collaboration.

At its heart, Hammonton First was never about partisanship, it was about community. The founders believed local governments should serve people, not political machines. They wanted to bridge divides between Republicans, Democrats, and Independents by focusing solely on local issues: fairness, fiscal responsibility, and forward progress.

The early days were tough. Hammonton’s established political forces were well-funded and deeply entrenched. The fledgling group had no consultants, no lobbyists, and no roadmap, only conviction. They organized meetings in living rooms and cafés, printed flyers, and personally knocked on doors. The challenge wasn’t just winning votes; it was convincing neighbors that real change could come from within their own community.

By November 2005, less than nine months after forming, Hammonton First swept the elections, winning the mayor’s seat and three town-council positions by a two-to-one margin. Within a year, they held a supermajority.

Over the next two decades, their record spoke for itself:

• 20 years of consistent leadership, maintaining the mayor’s seat in every election.

• Historic investments in infrastructure, including roads, parks, and a revitalized downtown.

• Tens of millions in grant funding for public projects.

• Lower taxes, while modernizing services and preserving Hammonton’s heritage.

Hammonton First proved that integrity and inclusion can outperform entrenched politics. The founders learned that true leadership isn’t about control, it’s about listening. Staying nonpartisan wasn’t easy, but it preserved the group’s authenticity and credibility.

In an era of polarization, Hammonton First stands as a model for civic innovation. Its success has inspired similar grassroots efforts nationwide, proving that independent, values-driven governance can thrive when citizens unite around shared purpose rather than party lines.

When institutions stop listening, community action becomes the loudest voice. If you’re frustrated by politics-as-usual, remember: meaningful change often begins with a small group of determined people who refuse to accept “that’s just how it is.”

Twenty years later, Hammonton First remains proof that democracy works best from the ground up. The question for every reader: what would your “Hammonton First” look like in your own town?