Democrats 'Guarantee' Committee Seats Will be Contested

Lacey can expect to see two Democrats on the 2013 ballot, despite Committeeman Sean Sharkey’s announcement that he will not be seeking a second term.

“I’ll guarantee there will be two candidates,” said Barry Bendar, Democratic municipal chairman. “We will not allow a possible seat to remain empty in this situation.”

 The committeen is currently seeking permanent employment as a teacher.

"It is not a decision that I came to lightly. After much thought, I have decided to focus my future in a different direction," Sharkey said in a letter. "In the remaining months of my term I will continue to fight hard for the people of this town as I have in the past two years."

Down one potential candidate for 2013 elections, the Democrats are on a search to fill the slot.

"We've put the word out," Bendar said.

The Democratic Municipal County Committee is meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, when it will be selecting its candidates to run in the upcoming June primaries.

That night, those residents interested in running as a Democrat could stop by Community Hall to introduce themselves to the Municipal County Committee.

“All will be considered and two will be chosen,” Bendar said.

With two seats open—that of Sharkey and incumbent Committeewoman Helen DelaCruz—the Democrats are at risk of losing their only two seats to the opposing party. Republicans have dominated the dais for more than a decade.

DelaCruz will also be presenting herself to the Municipal County Committee to run for a second term, he said.

“Helen is an incumbent so she has a leg up on some,” he said. “We’re not automatically set with Helen. Being an incumbent doesn’t automatically make you a candidate for next year,” Bendar said.

Finding candidates has always been a struggle for the Lacey Democrats, Bendar said. Last year, the party only ran one candidate for two open seats, after Nicholas Toth dropped out of the race.

But in 2013, Bendar guarantees the Democrats will run two candidates.

“It has been a struggle, but there are people who have run in the past,” he said. “Worst case scenario, you could see my name up there.”

Former Democratic candidate Gary Vaccaro, for example, has expressed interest in running again, Bendar said, although he does not know if he intends to present himself to the Municipal County Committee in March.

Losing the only two Democratic seats is a possibility in a town dominated by Republicans. Out of more than 18,000 registered voters in Lacey Township, there are approximately 3,000 registered Democrats.

“(Losing) would put us back in the situation we were in before the beginning of 2011, when Sean and Helen took office,” Bendar said. “A bunch of like-thinking people going back into private session without anyone there watching, which to me is not a good situation at all,” he said.

Before Sharkey and DelaCruz took office, the last Democrat to sit on the Committee was in 2006 and before that 2000, Bendar said. The last time there was a Democratic majority was in approximately 1992.

“It’s been a long time,” he said, but still hopeful for the upcoming campaign. “We’re going to be off and running right off the bat.”

The Republicans follow a similar process of selecting candidates and will be doing so on Tuesday, March 12.

So far, potential candidates include township Public Defender and President of the Lacey Township Republican Club Christopher Reid, Ocean County Health Department Intoxicated Driver Resource Center Director and Republican Club Financial Secretary Peter Curatolo, former Lacey police officer Jim Letellier, Planning Board Chairman Steven Kennis and Republican Club Sergeant at Arms Paul DeNicola, Deputy Mayor Gary Quinn said.

“Anybody who steps up and puts their name in the hat has my respect,” Quinn said. “It’s a difficult thing to do. Your life becomes an open book.”

The applicants will go before the Republican Club on March 12 and the executive board will determine its two running candidates.

“At this point in time, it’s an open race,” Quinn said, adding that Sharkey’s decision doesn’t give either party an advantage.

Although, an incumbent, such as DelaCruz could have an edge because of current recognition, Quinn said.

“The picture could change dramatically between now and November,” he said. “We’ve seen so many volatile issues over the last couple years, most recently being Sandy. It’s all going to come down to who gets out there and has the best message for the residents."

Primary candidates must register with the Ocean County Clerk’s Office by 4 p.m. April 1.