Dems Select Two Freeholder Candidates

A newly chosen Democrat ticket for Ocean County freeholder will pit former Jackson mayor and local attorney Joseph Grisanti and Beachwood Realtor Patricia Barndt against Republican incumbents John C. Bartlett, Jr. and Gerry P. Little.

The November race saw changes after Democrats George Cevasco and Bonnie Verga withdrew as candidates. Kevin Barron, chairman of the Candidate Screening Committee for the Ocean County Democrats, said the pair withdrew for personal reasons.

"We appreciate their interest and are sorry they weren't able to run, but we are excited and energized about Patricia Barndt and Joseph Grisanti," Barron said.

Grisanti and Barndt were nominated and unanimously chosen as the candidates at the county Democratic meeting Sunday, Barron said.

Also on the ballot for the two county seats are independents Scott Neuman of Toms River and Tracy Caprioni of Brick.