Democrats Retain Control Of Manasquan

By Art Gallagher

Democrat Owen McCarthy scored a overwhelming victory over Republican Robert Ferrante in the runoff electionfor Manasquan’s final council seat yesterday, according to a report in the Asbury Park Press.

McCarthy and Ferrante were tied after a recount of the November 2 election results.  Judge Lawrence Lawson ordered a new election.  McCarthy earned 998 votes to Ferrante’s 679 in the special election tally.

As a result of the special election, Democrats and Republicans each have three council members.  Democratic Mayor George Dempsey breaks the tie.

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Runoff Election Will Determine Partisan Control of Manasquan

Sheriff Shaun Golden, Freeholder Tom Arnone and GOP Council candidate Bob Ferrante campaign in Manasquan on Sunday

By Art Gallagher

 

Voters will go to the polls in Manansquan on Tuesday to choose a member of the borough’s council.  The November 2 election resulted in a tie, after a recount, between Republican Robert Ferrante and Democrat Owen McCarthy.

If Ferrante is the winner on Tuesday, Republicans will lead the borough council with a 4-2 majority.  Should McCarthy win,  the council will be divided 3-3, with Democratic Mayor George Dempsey breaking the tie.

Sheriff Shaun Golden and Freeholder Tom Arnone braved the elements today to hit the campaign trail with Ferrante.  Golden said, “We need to swing Manasquan into the Republican column.  The voters deserve a fiscally conservative councilman like Bobby Ferrante.”

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Manasquan will have a runoff election

Voters in Manasquan will go back to the polls in January to choose a member of their Borough Council, according to a report in the Asbury Park Press.

On election night Democratic candidate Owen McCarthy lead Republican Robert Ferrante by three votes.  After a recount the tally was tied with 1162 votes for each candidate.   The Democrats went to court seeking another recount. Republicans argued for a special election to decide the winner.  Judge Lawrence M. Lawson held off a decision, encouraging the sides to settle.   Both parties told the APP that they would inform Lawson that they’ve agreed to a new election.

Ties followed by special elections are becoming a tradition in Monmouth County.  In 2008 Republican Paul Buccellato and Democrat Mary Aufseeser were tied for the office of Matawan Mayor in the November polling.  Buccellato prevailed in a January 2009 runoff.  Last year in Keyport, Democratic Councilwoman Christian Bolte lead Republican Ed Burlew by one vote after the provisional ballots were counted.  A recount resulted in a tie.  Bolte prevailed in the January 2010 special election after challenging Burlew’s Keyport residency.

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