Democrats Announce Toms River Candidates

Jonathan Z. Petro. (Photo courtesy Carluccio, Leone, Dimon, Doyle & Sacks)
Jonathan Z. Petro. (Photo courtesy Carluccio, Leone, Dimon, Doyle & Sacks)

TOMS RIVER – The Toms River Democratic Organization has made its endorsements for the candidates they want representing the party in November.

Jonathan Z. Petro will run for the mayoral seat. The attorney is a managing partner at Carluccio, Leone, Dimon, Doyle & Sacks.

There are three at-large seats available. As opposed to ward candidates which have to be from a specific area of town, the at-large candidates can live anywhere in town. The Democrat club is supporting Board of Education member and former principal Michele Williams; Karin K. Sage, an attorney at Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A. in Woodbridge; and Drew Boyle, a math teacher in Brick.

Although these candidates have been supported for November, there may still be a primary challenge in June.

This is an important election by way of political power balance. Last year, the all-Republican governing body lost three spots to Democrats, although one switched parties after taking office.

On the Republican side of the aisle, former Ocean County Prosecutor Coronato won the nod to run for mayor. However, Councilman Maurice Hill has asked for a vote of the full membership – not just the screening committee – since he put in for the spot as well. Councilman Daniel Rodrick has already announced that he’s going to run in the primary.

The Republicans also endorsed Christian Momm, John Meehan, and Board of Education member Ginny Rhine for the at-large council spots.