Red Bank Republicans Hold On To Victory after Provisional Ballots Counted

With the provisional ballots counted this morning by the Board of Elections in Freehold, Republican Council Candidate Michael Whelan has held on to his victory over incumbent Democratic Councilman Michael DuPont.

Whelan was leading DuPont by 4 votes on the voting machine ballots, 963-959. DuPont picked up 5 votes from provisional ballots. Whelan picked up 4 votes.

Whelan’s running mate, Mark Taylor was the lead vote getter on the machine count with 1,029 votes. Taylor picked up 4 votes from provisional ballots.

DuPonts running mate, School Board Member Michael Ballard had 925 machine ballot votes. Ballard picked up 9 votes from provisional ballots.

A total of 24 provisional ballots were submitted in Red Bank on Election Day. 7 were disqualified.

DuPont has until November 18 to filed for a recount. He could not be reached for comment or to say if he plans a recount.

Barring a recount that changes the outcome of the current balloting, the Red Bank Republicans, with a 4-2 majority on the Council, will take partisan control of the Borough local government for the first time in two decades.

Upon taking the Oath of Office in January, Taylor and Whelan will join Councilwomen Cindy Burnham and Linda Schwabenebaur in the majority. Democratic Council Members Ed Zipprich and Kathy Horgan will comprise the minority. Mayor Pat Menna, a Democrat, will preside over council meetings and vote in the event of a tie.