Kit grew up in nearby Lawrence Township and has lived in Pennington for 34 years. She has a finance degree from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and an MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University. She works at Princeton University as Manager of Finance and Administration for the AOS program and the CIMES cooperative Institute.
Kit has served on Pennington Borough Council for 15 years. Over the years she has served as council liaison on multiple commissions including: Parks and Rec , Library, Health Department, Environmental, Economic Development, Open Space, Finance, Public Safety, and Historic Preservation. She is currently chair of Public Safety and Finance. Kit has also served on numerous sub committees including Emergency Management, Arboretum, Landfill, Streetscape II, African American Cemetery. Kit also enjoys volunteering at the Fourth of July Races, Pennington Day and the PBPA Holiday Walk.
John Valenza
Academic:
B.S. Civil Engineering (Virginia Tech: 1999)
Ph. D. Materials Science (Princeton: 2005)
Professional:
Sensor Physics, Schlumberger-Doll Research(Cambridge, MA: 2006-2013)
Engineering Physics, ExxonMobil Research (Annandale, NJ: 2013-present)
A Proven Leader with Deep Local Roots
John Valenza is a lifelong Pennington resident and a proud graduate of Toll Gate, Timberlane, and Hopewell Valley Central High School. His connection to this community runs deep, and his commitment to its future is personal.
A Career Built on Innovation and Problem‑Solving
John brings more than 20 years of experience as a technical, strategic, and organizational leader across the building materials, oil and gas, and carbon‑abatement sectors. His work has focused on developing practical, science‑based solutions that support economic growth, operational efficiency, and environmental responsibility.
He has served at two of the world’s premier industrial research institutions—Schlumberger‑Doll Research in Cambridge, MA, and ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company in Annandale, NJ—where he led teams advancing technologies in porous‑media physics, sensing systems, mechanics, and data analytics.
Why John Is Running
John is running to ensure Pennington remains a vibrant, welcoming, and fiscally responsible community for generations to come. His priorities reflect what residents value most:
Delivering high‑quality services while maintaining responsible, transparent budgeting
Supporting thoughtful, balanced development that strengthens the community and welcomes a broader socioeconomic spectrum
Championing practical, economically sound carbon‑abatement solutions that protect both the environment and taxpayers
If you weren’t able to attend one of the recent candidate forums, you can still get informed before casting your vote. Below is a selection of recorded sessions to help you get to know the active candidates and their platforms. Happy viewing!
February 8th - Candidate Forum by Engage Action and CAIR
February 15th - PCDO CD12 Candidate Forum
March 13th - Candidate Forum at the College of New Jersey
April 25th - CD1 Candidate Forum - Trenton Journal
April 26th - NJ 12 Congressional Debate - Rider
and this is the 12th Congressional District
This lists the current candidates for the Democratic party seat for CD12. Thanks to the Hopewell Valley Dem Club for this table of candidate information.