In Toms River, New Jersey, the race for the four available seats on the Township Council has attracted 13 candidates, with both major political parties preparing for competitive primaries. The elections for these four-year terms will take place on Tuesday, June 10.
Among the Republicans, nine candidates are in the running. There are two contenders each for the seats in Wards 1, 2, and 3, while Ward 4 has three candidates vying for the position. On the Democratic side, four individuals are competing for the nominations, with the Ward 4 seat being the only contested race. There is no Democratic candidate in Ward 3.
In Ward 1, incumbent Justin Lamb will face Robert Bianchini for the Republican nomination. Bianchini, who previously ran for the mayoral nomination in 2023 and lost in the primary, is challenging Lamb, who joined the council in 2021 by defeating long-time councilwoman Maria Maruca in that year’s primary.
In Ward 2, William Byrne and Clinton Bradley are battling it out for the Republican nomination. Byrne is looking to secure a full term after he was elected to finish out the final year of a term vacated when Daniel Rodrick became mayor. He had stepped in for George Lobman, who was initially appointed to the seat for 2024 but later chose not to run.
For Ward 3, incumbent Republican Jim Quinlisk is up against newcomer Harry Aber for the Republican nomination. Quinlisk, who took office in 2021 after winning a primary contest against Grace Piscopo and a general election victory over Democrat Karin Sage, is hoping to hold on to his seat. The position had been previously held by Democrat Laurie Huryk, who decided not to seek re-election.
In Ward 4, incumbent David Ciccozzi faces competition from two challengers, Anthony Ricotta and Anthony Matarazzo, for the Republican nomination. Ricotta, who is new to the political scene, has garnered the support of the Ocean County Republican Club. Matarazzo, another newcomer, is also hoping to secure the nomination. Ciccozzi was elected to the position in 2021 after defeating John J. Loiacono in the primary and Democrat Terrance Turnbach in the general election.
The team of Lamb, Byrne, Aber, and Matarazzo is supported by Mayor Rodrick’s camp. Together, they are aiming to maintain their hold on the council. On the other hand, Quinlisk and Ciccozzi, as part of the Republicans for Toms River group, are running alongside Bianchini and Bradley with the goal of challenging Rodrick’s influence and potentially gaining control of the council.
Ricotta has earned backing from George Gilmore, the chairman of the Ocean County Republicans, and Ocean County Commissioner Robert Arace, who has been actively involved in promoting Ricotta’s candidacy.
The Democratic candidates include Anthony Colucci in Ward 1, Susan Gato in Ward 2, and Justin Moran in Ward 4. Moran, who is being supported by the Toms River Democratic Club, will compete with Paul C. Williams, who ran as a write-in candidate for a council seat in the 2023 election.
