Ocean County GOP Freeholder Battle Lines Drawn

It isn't unprecedented, but it's rare that incumbent Ocean County elected officials face primary election competition. This appears to be one of those years.

In the unofficial list released by Ocean County Clerk Scott Colabella's office today, conservative Manahawkin Republicans Victoria McEarlean and Josh Prizer aim to challenge Freeholder Director John Bartlett and Deputy Director Gerry Little for the right to carry the party flag into November.

McEarlean and Prizer met the Monday filing deadline, submitting petitions under the banner "Common Sense Conservatives."

Whoever clears the June primary hurdle will be opposed by Democrats Patricia Barndt of Beachwood and former Point Pleasant Borough Councilman Christopher Leitner.

Colabella, whose seat is also at stake, faces no primary challenge but will be opposed by Island Heights Borough Councilman Kieran Pillion.

Sources also tell us that Stafford Township Councilman Henry Mancini has assembled a  slate to oppose Mayor John Spodofora's ticket.

In Brick Township, Councilman Bob Moore is done when his term is up, replaced on the Democratic slate by Arthur Halloran. Moore offered an unflattering version of the events surrounding the decision in an article published by Brick Shorebeat. .

Things are much quieter in Toms River. Mayor Thomas Kelaher and at-large Township Council members George Wittman, Maurice Hill and Brian Kubiel face no primary or November opposition, according to Township Clerk J. Mark Mutter.