Mixed Republican Candidates Win Toms River Primary

This map shows the four wards, color coded. The shore area is Ward 1, then the numbers go up in a counter-clockwise direction. (Image courtesy Toms River)

  TOMS RIVER – Two different slates of Republicans were running against each other in the primary election. Two from one slate and two from another won. This means that in November, after months of fighting, these groups will have to campaign together against Democrats.

  Councilwoman Maria Maruca lost to a challenger in her ward, meaning that she won’t be able to run to keep her spot in the fall.

  Councilman Daniel Rodrick won his challenge, meaning he’ll be representing the GOP in his ward.

  The town is run by a mayor and a seven-member council. The town is broken up into four wards. Each ward has a council member. The other three (at-large) council members and the mayor can be from any area of town.

  A primary is done to determine who will represent their party in the general election in November.

  Two slates of Republicans challenged each other. One is the Regular Republican Organization of Ocean County. The other is Make New Jersey Great Again.

  The Democrats are all on the Official Regular Democrat Organization party line. They were running unopposed.

  The make-up of the governing body is currently five Republicans and two Democrats with a Republican mayor. If the Republicans sweep the November election, it means that the entire governing body will be Republican. If Democrats sweep, then they win a majority on the council.

  Council seats are four years.

  In Ward 1, Councilwoman Maria Maruca (Regular Republican Organization of Ocean County) was challenged by Justin Lamb (Make New Jersey Great Again) for the Republican nod. Maruca received 1,023 votes and Lamb won 1,207 votes. There were three write-ins.

  This was a surprising turn of events for the long-time councilwoman. In 2017, Maruca also competed with Lamb for the right to represent the GOP. She won 920-550 votes.

  Board of Education member Michele Williams will represent the Democrats. She received 498 votes.

  In Ward 2, Councilman Daniel Rodrick (Make New Jersey Great Again) beat Jason Crispin (Regular Republican Organization of Ocean County). Rodrick received 1,488 votes and Crispin received 1,075 votes.

  Jeff J. Horn will represent the Democrats. He received 617 votes.

  In Ward 3, James J. Quinlisk (Regular Republican Organization of Ocean County) beat Grace Piscopo (Make New Jersey Great Again). Quinlisk received 1,258 votes and Piscopo received 649 votes. There were six write-ins.

  Karin Sage will represent the Democrats. She received 475 votes.

  Democrat Councilwoman Laurie Huryk, the Ward 3 council representative, chose not to run for re-election.

  In Ward 4, David J. Ciccozzi (Regular Republican Organization of Ocean County) beat John J. Loiacono (Make New Jersey Great Again). Ciccozzi received 890 votes and Loiacono received 744 votes. There were nine write-ins.

  Councilman Terrance Turnbach will represent the Democrats. He received 478 votes.

  These are the unofficial vote totals, since the election results have to be certified, a process which can take at least several days.