TOMS RIVER – It’s not much of a surprise that Republicans won in a very Republican county, but the real question is: which Republican slate won?
The current make-up of the Township Council is all Republican, but there are two different groups of Republicans.
Mayor Daniel Rodrick leads the current administration and his four allies have a majority on the seven-member council right now. However, the primary election in June took out two council members that side with him on most if not all issues. This means that no matter what happened on election night, there would be a new majority when members are sworn in (in January).
Rodrick’s team was under the Official Republican Team banner, while the other Republicans were under America First Republicans for Toms River. This other group will now have a council majority.
The Democrats, meanwhile, only had candidates in three of the four wards, so there was no way they could have achieved a majority on the council.
Ward Winners
There are four wards in Toms River, divided up geographically. Each ward has a Township Council member who serves four-year terms.
In Ward 1, Robert Bianchini (America First Republicans for Toms River) beat Democrat Anthony Colucci 6,315 votes to 3,449. There were 20 write-ins.
In Ward 2, Clinton Bradley (America First Republicans for Toms River) beat Democrat Susan Payne Gato 6,852 votes to 3,801. There were 38 write-ins.
In Ward 3, Harry Aber (Official Republican Team) was the only name on the ballot. He received 5,154 votes. Councilman James Quinlisk (America First Republicans for Toms River) lost to him in the primary, so he attempted a write-in challenge. It could be assumed that most of the 514 write-in votes that were recorded were for him. Write-ins are not listed by name online, and are only made official some time after the election.
In Ward 4, Councilman David Ciccozzi (America First Republicans for Toms River) beat Democrat Justin Moran 4,502 votes to 3,923. Democrat Paul Williams also lost in the primary but mounted a write-in campaign. There were 38 write-ins.
What Now?
The County Board of Elections takes a few weeks to certify the election results then they are made official. They have to go through provisional ballots and other issues.
In January, the four winners will be sworn in. This will show a new council majority with the America First Republicans for Toms River having four members and the Official Republican Team having three.
Additionally, it means that when a council president is chosen, it is likely to be a member of the majority. The council president runs meetings and sets the agenda.
Board Of Education
There were three candidates running for a single, three-year seat representing the town on the board of education. Boards of education are supposed to be nonpartisan, but candidates are often supported by a party.
Incumbent Kathy Eagan won the spot with 12,269 votes. She bested challenger George Lobman, who was briefly a councilman allied with Rodrick. Lobman received 9,905 votes. Coming in third was Josef Pentz with 4,215 votes. There were 197 write-ins.
The Pine Beach board member, Kevin Kidney, was running unopposed. He received 583 votes. There were 17 write-ins.
The Beachwood board member, Katie Coyne, was running unopposed. She received 2,285 votes. There were 85 write-ins.
