Democrats Still Seek Second Candidate for Committee Race

Lacey Democrats are still seeking a second candidate to run in this year’s Committee race after Nicholas Toth dropped out.

“So far, I haven’t heard of anyone but you never know if there’s going to be a surprise,” said Barry Bendar, municipal chairman for the Ocean County Democratic Committee.

The municipal county committee will be holding a meeting at 7 p.m. tonight in Community Hall, which is ultimately the final opportunity for a candidate to be selected.

The Democrats have until Thursday, Sept. 13, to find a replacement candidate to appear on the November ballot.

If an interested candidate approaches the committee, they will undergo an interview. The committee would then determine if they’re qualified, Bendar said, adding that this is the “normal process.” 

Bendar said that tonight is the most important meeting prior to elections and encouraged those who may be interested in running to come out.

, saying that he will be furthering his education at Cornell University starting in the fall.

Since Toth resigned, the Democrats “put the word out” that they were seeking a candidate, Bendar said, but no one has shown interest.

Gary Vaccaro, who ran against Republican incumbent David Most last year, indicated that although he has yet to make his final decision, he does not intend to run.

Two seats on the committee are open this year — those of Republicans Mayor Mark Dykoff and Gary Quinn.

Both are running for re-election and will face first-time candidate Shawn Judson and Toth's eventual replacement for three-year terms.

The 2012 municipal race has the potential for a party power shift as three Republicans and two Democrats currently head the committee. A Republican majority has maintained the committee for more than a decade.

Return to Lacey Patch tomorrow to find out if a second Democratic candidate has been selected.