By Joseph Sapia
Contested Republican Primary in Sea Bright
In the Two Rivers area, only one June 7 primary election is contested at this time – Sea Bright – where three Republicans are seeking the nomination to run for two available Borough Council seats in the November election.
The Sea Bright Republicans are Brian P. Kelly of Beach Street, Charles R. Murphy of Via Ripa and Jennifer Walsh of East New Street. No Democrats have filed for the primary.
How the ballot will wind up for the Nov. 8 General Election is unclear because, for example, write-ins are able to run in the primaries. Also, unaffiliated voters, also known as “independents,” and third-party candidates have until June 7 to file petitions with the Monmouth County Clerk’s office for the General Election Ballot.
The primary elections candidate list, released in recent days by the County Clerk’s office, shows Democrat vacancies in Atlantic Highlands, Colts Neck, Holmdel, Little Silver and Shrewsbury. Republicans have filled all slots for their party’s primary election.
Primary elections are intra-party battles for Democrats and Republicans to determine who will run in November from those parties. Barring unusual circumstances, the November ballot will become clear after Democrats and Republicans pick their candidates in the primaries, along with independents and third party candidates filing.
While independent and third party candidates have until June 7 to file for office, the deadline for the Democrat and Republican parties was April 4.
Other towns holding a June 7 primary ballot are:
Atlantic Highlands: Two Borough Council seats available carrying full three-year terms, Democrat Edward Cetron of Auditorium Drive and Republicans Stephen Boracchia of Seventh Avenue and Susan Tidswell of Belvidere Road.
Colts Neck: One Township Committee seat carrying a full three-year term, Republican Russell Macnow of Homestead Drive; one Township Committee seat carrying a one-year unexpired term, Republican Edward C. Eastman Jr. of Hockhockson Road.
Fair Haven: Two Borough Council seats carrying full three-year terms, Democrats Shervyn J. von Hoerl of River Road and Mary Pat Gendelman of Forrest Avenue and Republicans Jonathan Peters of Park Avenue and Rowland O. Wilhelm Jr. of Linden Drive.
Holmdel: Two Township Committee seats carrying full three-year terms, Republicans Eric Hinds of Camellia Court and Michael Nikolis of Knollwood Road.
Little Silver: Two Borough Council seats carrying full three-year terms, Republicans Donald Galante of Pine Drive and Corinne Thygeson of Queens Drive.
Middletown: Two Township Committee seats carrying full three-year terms, Democrats Raphael Borgess of Suffolk Avenue and Mary Jo Fabiano of Geary Drive and Republicans Gerard P. Scharfenberger of Sea Gull Lane and Kevin Settembrino of Hubbard Avenue.
Oceanport: Two Borough Council seats carrying full three-year terms, Republicans Joseph A. Irace of Osprey Lane and Stuart E. Briskey of Werah Place.
Red Bank: Two Borough Council seats carrying full three-year terms, Democrats Kathleen A. Horgan and Erik Yngstrom of West Westside Avenue and Republicans Brian M. Hanlon of Arthur Place and Kellie O’Bosky Colwell of Chestnut Street.
Rumson: Two Borough Council seats carrying full three-year terms, Republicans Joseph K. Hemphill of Bingham Avenue and Laura R. Atwell of Dogwood Lane.
Shrewsbury Borough: Two Borough Council seats carrying full three-year terms, Republicans Deidre M. DerAsadourian of Sickles Place and Peter J. Meyer of Beech Tree Lane; two Borough Council seats carrying a one-year unexpired term, Republicans Thomas L. Moran of Samara Drive and Erik Anderson of Court Drive.
Shrewsbury Township: One Township Committee seat carrying a full three-year term, Democrat Glenwood J. Puhak of Barker Avenue and Republican Alfred J. Melillo of Belshaw Avenue.
