Following 20 years of dedicated service to her community, Atlantic County Commissioner Amy Gatto announced she will not seek re-election in 2025. Gatto is completing her third term as an Atlantic County Commissioner At Large. “It has been a privilege to serve the residents of Atlantic County and to have earned their trust in seven consecutive, successful elections. It has been my mission to serve as an open, fair and listening ear to anyone needing help or wanting to enhance our area, “ Gatto stated. “I’ve dedicated myself to making our community a better place for two decades and now it’s time to focus on my personal life and my physical and emotional health.”

Gatto, 43, was first elected to the Hamilton Township Board of Education in 2005, then to Hamilton Township Committee in 2007. At 29 years old, Gatto became the youngest and only the third woman to hold the office of Mayor in the Township’s several hundred year history. In 2019, Freeholder Gatto was proudly selected to serve as the first female to Chair the Board of Freeholders (now Commissioners) in its 182 year history. Despite the tough times facing the region, during Gatto’s tenure on Township Committee, the governing body was able to eliminate their $2.4 million structural deficit by encouraging economic development and making government more efficient as well as pay down millions in municipal debt without raising taxes several years following. She was honored to be elected to the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 2016, 2019 and 2022, with a focus on diversifying the local economic drivers and leading the region through the COVID-19 pandemic. Gatto also served as a member of the Atlantic County Republican Committee and was the Republican Municipal Leader in Hamilton Township. The Atlantic County Federation of Republican Women honored Gatto with its Lincoln Award in 2020 as she has worked tirelessly to pave the path for more women and minorities to participate in appointed and elected offices.

Born and raised in Mays Landing, Gatto graduated from Oakcrest High School in 2000. She attended Widener University in Chester, PA, graduating in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business and a Bachelor of Arts degree in French. Following graduation, Gatto committed herself to public service while also going to work for PECO Energy, an Exelon Company, in Philadelphia, PA, as an Executive Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer. In 2008, Gatto was honored as one of Atlantic City Weekly’s “Top 40 Under 40”. As her career progressed, she went to work as a Project Manager and Manager of Service Operations at AtlantiCare in Hammonton, NJ, at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ in Mount Laurel, NJ and at Equitable in Secaucus, NJ. Currently, she serves as an Assistant Vice President of Business Operations for Lincoln Financial in Radnor, PA. Gatto currently resides in Mullican Township. In addition to her professional and political work, Gatto serves as the treasurer of the Sweetwater Haven Association, as a member of the Pastoral Council for St. Vincent de Paul Church and as President of UNICO National – the Greater Atlantic City Chapter. Gatto has long battled Crohn’s Disease and is an active advocate for the disease.

Gatto is proud to be the daughter of Dr. Jeri-Lynn Vernon, a retired educator who currently resides in Galloway, NJ with her husband Walter Vernon, retired Army Major, and Bill Gatto, retired union Laborer, Local 172 and 40 year employee of the Atlantic City Race Course. He passed away in 2024. She has one brother, Billy Gatto, 34, who resides in Las Vegas, NV.