Middletown's Rich Castaldo Loses to Scharfenberger, Flynn By Less Than 1,900 Votes

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — The primary for the 13th legislative district Middletown was closer than anyone expected Tuesday:

Rich Castaldo, a Middletown businessman, tried to knock off longtime Assembly reps Gerry Scharfenberger (R-Middletown) and Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn (R-Holmdel).

All three are Republicans, but Castaldo portrayed himself as the more conservative Republican than Scharfenberger/Flynn.

Castaldo, who ran without the support of the powerful Monmouth County Republican Party, ended up losing by less than 1,900 votes. Here are the unofficial results from Monmouth County. Results are not final until certified:

• Scharfenberger: 11,864 votes (38 percent of the vote)
• Flynn: 10,246 votes (33 percent of the vote)
• Castaldo: 8,358 votes (27 percent of the vote) He lost by a mere 1,888 votes

Castaldo criticized both Flynn and Scharfenberger for failing to get more school funding for Middletown schools, and not keeping property taxes low enough. He mostly seemed to attack Flynn in his campaign.

Castaldo conceded Tuesday night on his Facebook page. He also hinted that he may run again.

"While we didn’t get the victory we wanted tonight and there were many factors as to why, I am extremely proud of every single person who stood with me and had my back taking on the machine. Unfortunately sometimes in politics timing and circumstances can determine outcomes regardless of how hard you worked and how much momentum you have. I want to thank every person who trusted me with their vote and believed in me to carry that torch to Trenton. In the short time that we have been running this race we have had a huge effect on the system. It took them hundreds of thousands of dollars, constant fake news lies, shady anonymous websites and blatant libel and slanderous attacks to barely beat us. Even though my opponents both spread known lies about me and brought my family into this, I still called and texted them both to congratulate them and wish them well in November. I did that because I have dignity and character, something my parents left me with.

In conclusion, I promised I would always tell you the truth and I did. I promised I would fight for each and every one of you and that’s exactly what we will do, we will continue fighting against the corrupt political class and soon our day will come.

I love you all

Remember…NEVER BACK DOWN. NEVER QUIT."

Castaldo and his fiancée Gina live in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown and are parents to a six-month-old girl. On his Facebook page, Castaldo said "We’re fighting TWO battles: Fake establishment Republicans and the woke radical Democrats."

"People are DONE with:• Empty promises• Exploding property taxes• 20%+ hikes in utility bills• Underfunded school districts• Kids being indoctrinated instead of educated• Failure to address flooding issues• Not getting COLA for police and fire passed"

Prior: Middletown Republican Businessman Castaldo Challenges Flynn, Scharfenberger For Statehouse (May 15)