GOP Outspending Democrats 10-1 In Toms River Campaign

Four incumbent Republicans are outspending four Democratic challengers by a 10-1 margin in the race for Toms River Township council, state records show.

Democrats Paul Brush, Linda Stevens, Gary Clifton and Eli Eytan filed jointly with the state's Election Law Enforcement Commission and reported $7,326 in donations earlier this month, with their top donor listed as a township resident who gave $400.

The Democrats jointly spent $2,351, according to filing.

The four Republicans, incumbent council members Maria Maruca, Jeffrey Carr, Brian Kubiel and Alfonso Manforti, filed individually with the commission, but as a whole raised $51,643 and spent $26,440.

The top donor to Republicans was Richard A. Alaimo Associates, an engineering firm, which evenly divided a $10,400 contribution to the candidates by donating $2,600 to each.

On Oct. 28, Carr filed a supplemental donation report that listed a $2,600 donation from Remington & Vernick, another engineering firm.

Such lopsided contribution and spending totals are not unusual in GOP-heavy Ocean County. Candidates from both parties must follow strict reporting dates for their political contributions, and are also obligated to file notices with 48 hours of receiving any donation of at least $1,000 or more in the two weeks leading up to Election Day.