Today is Election Day with all of the state legislative seats up for grabs and a spot on the Ocean County Freeholder Board. However in what has been pretty much a quiet election season there are several high-profile Mayoral races in local towns. And after that...football playoffs begin for 9 Ocean County teams.

Headlining that is in Toms River where Republican incumbent Thomas Kelaher is being challenged by Democrat Paul Brush, who held that spot previously but did not seek re-election at that time. Also in the race is Independent Donald Flett.

This is a difficult choice for many in Ocean County’s largest municipality because Kelaher and Brush are both held in such high regard as long-time public servants and assets to the community.

In Berkeley Township Democratic incumbent Jason Varano is seeking a fourth term but expected to receive a major challenge from Republican Carmen Amato.

This one could go down to the wire as both have large and loyal followers in the township. Another interesting race is in Beachwood where Democrat Bonnie Verga took over as mayor several months ago when Ron Jones moved out of the town. She is going up against Republican councilman Ron Roma in a race that’s been civil…at least it seems that way. This one could be close. In Point Pleasant Beach it’s a bit different as Mayor Vincent Barrella did not get the support of his own Republican party so he is running as an Independent against GOP nominee Stephen Reid. The Democratic candidate Timothy Lurie dropped out of the race last week and threw his support behind Reid which would seem to pretty much lock things up but I guess you never know.

The only county race finds Republican Freeholder Joe Vicari expected to cruise to another term…he is being challenged by Democrat Michelle Rosen.

Mike Smithman, Barnegat
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The NJSIAA Football Playoffs begin this weekend and 9 Ocean County schools qualified including Barnegat and Point Boro who will face one another in a South Jersey Group 2 matchup Friday night at the home of the Bengals. We will broadcast that game on the Shore Sports Network.

Over matchups featuring local teams will find Southern hosting Triton, defending section champion Lacey visiting top-seed Timber Creek, Central traveling to Woodrow Wilson of Camden, Monsignor Donovan visiting undefeated Delbarton, Jackson Memorial hosting Sayreville, Brick Memorial heading to Manalapan and Point Pleasant Beach taking to the road to face New Egypt.

 

 

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