TOMS RIVER – There are now three Republicans competing for the mayor’s spot, and seven candidates running for council spots.
The GOP endorsed former Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato for the mayor’s spot on the ballot, and Christian Momm, John Meehan, and Ginny Rhine for the three council spots.
Other Republicans are fighting those nominations, since they were put forward by county GOP leader George Gilmore, who is in the midst of tax evasion charges.
Councilman Maurice “Mo” Hill announced he is running in the June Primary as a Republican candidate for mayor of Toms River.
“The Republican Party in Toms River has frozen my campaign funds forcing me to run a bare bones grass roots campaign. I offer myself as a candidate who has the honesty, integrity and the leadership skills to lead Toms River,” he said.
Hill is not the only Republican making a challenge in the race. Councilman Daniel Rodrick will be competing for the mayor’s spot. He recently announced a slate consisting of Ken Londregin, a vice principal in Old Bridge Township, engineer George Lobman, and attorney Justin Lamb.
They have argued that Coronato, as a former attorney for developers, means that he will be pro-development.
Additionally, Heather Barone, president of Court Appointed Special Advocates, is running for a nomination on the ballot for the Township Council. A Republican, she is running independently from those endorsed by the local GOP.
The Democrats are running attorney Jonathan Z. Petro for mayor, and the following for council: Michele Williams, Karin K. Sage, and Drew Boyle.
