Toms River's Mayoral Race Again Three Candidates

The race for mayor this year is a three-way one between a Republican incumbent, a Democratic former mayor, and an independent candidate.

That the mayoral race is between three candidates, though, is not unusual for Toms River Township.

Since the town switched from Township to Toms River Township, each mayoral race has been a three-way race, said Mark Mutter, who also serves as town historian.

This will be the third under the new form of government.

This year, the race is between Democrat Republican and Independent .

In 2002, voters voted to change the form of government from Township Committee  to direct election of mayor. Previously, Mutter said, “the ‘Chairman’ or ‘Mayor’ was elected from amongst the members of the Committee; this is New Jersey's oldest form of local government.” Mutter served as mayor twice under this form of government.

After 2002, the township is governed by a seven member council under the Faulkner Act form of government, and a direct election of mayor.

In 2003, the first election of this new form of government was held. In it, Paul Brush (I) defeated John Russo (R) and John Furey (D) in a three way race. “He received less than 50 percent of the vote, but it is that candidate who received the most wins,” Mutter said. The results were: Brush-45 percent, Russo-43 percent, Furey-11 percent.

In 2007, Toms River would again see a three-way race.  The results were: Republican Thomas Kelaher-52 percent; Democrat Richard Strada-36 percent; Independent Carmine Inteso-11 percent.

And in 2011 the race is again between , meaning every election as Toms River has been between three mayoral candidates.