TOMS RIVER – The Primary Election has not only determined who will be running in November; it has already changed the face of the council.
This is because there are two Republican groups on the council right now. Four of them – the majority – is allied with Mayor Daniel Rodrick. The remaining three often vote against the majority on big issues.
The two incumbent candidates that were allied with Rodrick lost their spots to challengers, meaning that no matter who wins in November, the mayor will no longer have a majority on council.
A primary election is when members of a political party decide who they want to represent them on the ballot in the general election in November. Toms River is divided into four wards geographically. Each of these wards has one member of council representing them. The four ward seats are on the ballot this year.
The results in this article are unofficial until the county confirms the numbers in a few weeks.
Ward 1
In Ward 1, Republican incumbent Justin Lamb (Official Republican Team), who currently serves as the council president, is being challenged by Robert Bianchini (America First Republicans for Toms River). Bianchini had run for mayor in 2023, but didn’t make it through a crowded primary season back then.
In this year’s primary, Bianchini beat Lamb 1,597-1,323.
Robert Bianchini
He will face off against Anthony Colucci in November, who ran unopposed for the Democrat race.
Ward 2
In Ward 2, Republican incumbent Robert Byrne (Official Republican Team), who was on Rodrick’s team, was being challenged by Clinton Bradley (America First Republicans for Toms River).
Bradley beat Byrne 1,555 – 1,469.
Clinton Bradley
Byrne had been appointed to the seat. It is likely that an alleged investigation into the finances of Holiday City in Silverton played into the vote totals. News 12 reporter Jim Murdoch posted a video that he said showed investigators removing boxes from offices there. Byrne is on the board of trustees. No charges have been made.
In November, Bradley will be up against Democrat Susan Payne Gato, who ran unopposed in the primary.
Ward 3
In Ward 3, Republican incumbent Jim Quinlisk (America First Republicans for Toms River) was beat by Harry Aber (Official Republican Team), a Rodrick ally.
Aber won 1,559 – 929.
Harry Aber
No Democrats filed to run in the primary. This means Aber has a pretty smooth road to November.
Ward 4
Ward 4 was a crowded house. Republican incumbent David Ciccozzi (America First Republicans for Toms River) was being challenged by Anthony Matarazzo (Official Republican Team) and Anthony Ricotta (Endorsed Ocean County Regular Republican Organization).
Ciccozzi won with 883 votes, narrowly edging out Ricotta’s 753 and Matarazzo’s 734.
David Ciccozzi
While Ward 3 didn’t have any Democrats signing up, Ward 4 actually had two. Justin Moran (Ocean County Democrats 2025) was competing with Paul Williams (Be The Change You Want To See).
Moran won 725 – 415.
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