It was a clear win for Republicans in Toms River, who re-elected Thomas Kelaher to his second term as mayor by a 2 to 1 margin in many districts.

According to unofficial results, Kelaher established a strong lead early against challenger and former mayor Paul Brush. The incumbent won 62 out of 63 districts.

In the race for three at-large council seats, Republicans again commanded victory in Toms River, with current council member John Sevastakis, George Wittmann and Maurice Hill winning over challengers Mary Malagiere, Matthew Sage and Robert Bianchini.

The unofficial results:

Mayor race (15,925 votes total)

√ Kelaher: 9,697 votes, 60.89 percent

Brush: 5,608, 35.22 percent

(I)Donald Flett: 606, 3.81 percent

At-Large Council  (44,881 votes total)

√ (R) George Wittmann: 9,512, 21.19 percent

√ (R) Maurice Hill: 9,044, 20.15 percent

√ (R) John Sevastakis: 8,885, 19.1 percent

Kelaher: 'Great team in place'

Kelaher said the victory was indication voters agreed with the direction the township has gone.

"We’ve got a great governing body, great department heads — this is a great team in place," Kelaher told crowds in a victory speech at county Republican headquarters last night.

"Whether it's a hurricane, a blizzard, or whatnot, people agreed with the response and the cooperation they saw. Things like Christie's 2 percent tax cap keeping things down for taxpayers — people responded to that."

To thunderous applause at the county party, Kelaher thanked his runningmates and his supporters.

"Thank you all for your support and god bless you," said Kelaher.

Brush condemns 'dirty campaigning'

Brush, a former mayor who said he came out of retirement after seeing blatant political patronage jobs handed out in local goverment, said he was surprised by voter turnout.

"I honestly thought the race would have been closer," Brush said. "The voters have made their decision and I respect that."

He decried his opponents' campaigning, saying the race was filled with shenanigans and dirty tactics.

"My family is hurting right now more than me. It's hard to lose like this," Brush said. "The republicans ran a unfair campaign, but this is how it is... I am disapointed in Kelaher's campaign."

However, Brush said he was proud of the issues he raised during the campaign.

 "I was able to tell the public about the MUA, taxes and other political shenanigans. I did what I wanted to do," Brush said. "I decided to come out and run because I am concerned about the way government has been run, with all of their shenanigans."

He said he will not likely run again.

Results

According to unofficial results from the Toms River clerk, Kelaher won 62 out of 63 districts, with Brush winning by several votes in the Green Briar district where he lives. In several districts, Kelaher won by as large as a 3 to 1 margin in a lead he kept early on as results came in.

Voting was similar for the council races, as the Republicans took an early lead against Democrat challengers.

With about a third of the districts reporting results, "It would be fair to say a pattern has emerged," said Town Clerk Mark Mutter. As the remaining polls reported results, the pattern continued, with Republican victory.

One district Mutter said often votes Democrat, Winteringham Village, also went Republican.

"Registered voters who are Republicans outnumber Democrats in Toms River," Brush said. "We're up against that."

Republicans had 'right message'

Candidate George Wittmann, who won his third term as councilman last night, also previously served two terms on the Dover Township Committee — one of which he served as mayor.

He said the vote was an indication that voters appreciate the direction the township has taken to keep taxes stable while keeping services level.

"I think we had the right message. Everybody feels we're doing a good job, based on our record," Wittmann told Toms River Patch last night. "The public likes the direction: keep taxes stable, and not to diminish the amount of services."

Council President Mo Hill went from a ward councilman to the at-large spot, accompishing his goal of representing the broader concerns of the township.

"I'm looking forward to throwing out the first pitch at the softball complex," Hill said about his victory. He said he hopes the next term is filled with many of the cost-saving measures recently put in place by the township.

"I think we are good public servants," Hill said. "We've kept things stable, switched to single stream recycling, which is keeping costs down and increasing recycling monetary returns. It's things like that, that voters agreed with."

Hill said he's proud of the last four years and it would appear voters are, too.

"I think tonight's vote validated the job done in the last four years," Hill said.

Campaign insight

"For me, this was an overall great experience," said Malagiere. "I wore out two pairs of sneakers while I was out going door-to-door campaigning. I had a lot of fun. I dont like to live in the past. Thes was my first time running and I had a lot of fun. This was such an experience, I just wish I could have done more. I decided to run because the people need to take action."