Three Now Running In Long Branch Mayoral Race

LONG BRANCH, NJ - Longtime Mayor Adam Schneider now has two other competitors running for the seat he has held for almost two decades.

Board of Education member Avery Grant made the March 5 deadline to file for the mayoral slot in the non-partisan city election, according to app.com.

He will join City Council President John Pallone, who announced in February that he planned to challenge Schneider in the race for the four-year term.

"It was a late decision to run," Grant said. "Basically, I want to bring the Long Branch community together. I find there is a lot of social dissatisfaction."

Grant ran against challenged Schneider in 2014 but was unsuccesful.

Both Schneider and Pallone are running with a full slate of five candidates for the City Council seats. Grant has at least one member on his ticket and could potentially have a second if the candidate can secure five more petitions.

The council race adds up to either 11 or 12 candidates vying for the five council seats.

Schneider defeated Pallone by 500 votes back in 1994. The mayor is seeking his eighth term. He has been mayor since 1994.

Pallone's team includes incumbent Councilwoman Mary Jane Celli, Bill Dangler, Rose DeMarco Widdis, Mario Vieira and Anita Voogt.

Schneider's team consists of incumbent council members Joy Bastelli, Kathleen Billings and Michael Sirianni and two candidates, Adam Ponsi and Diana Dos Santos, who are seeking their first terms on City Council.

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