Mike Morris Will Challenge Tony Perry For Middletown Twp. Committee

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Heads up, Middletown: Mike Morris will challenge Mayor Tony Perry for a seat on Middletown's Township Committee this November.

Morris won the Democratic primary Tuesday (he had no challengers) and he will try to stomp Perry, who is the mayor of Middletown and a Republican, in his re-election attempt to Township Committee this fall.

Morris is a Democrat and Tony Perry is a Republican.

Patch originally reported that Morris is running to be Middletown's mayor. That is not correct. Perry, who is mayor, will run for re-election to his seat on the Township Committee. Morris also seeks that seat. From there, the Township Committee then chooses from among its elected members who will be mayor.

The general election will be Nov. 5. For the next six months, Patch will be chronicling the election and why Morris thinks he is the better candidate to lead Middletown.

For years now, Mike has written a blog, Middletown Mike, which you can read here. In this latest post, written June 1, he criticizes Middletown Township for not flying a rainbow flag for the month of June/LGBTQ pride.

Mike Morris released this following statement to Middletown voters Tuesday:

"My name is Michael Morris, and I am running for Township Committee. As a resident for 34 years, I have championed affordability and transparency in government, and been a strong advocate for our township's working-class taxpayers and families with special needs. Since 2008, I've run a watchdog blog to keep everyone informed about township policies and events. With over 30 years in the Chemical Industry and as a proud alumnus of Brookdale Community College, I am committed to making Middletown a better place.

I am a regular, working-class, blue-collar guy who understands the struggles and aspirations of our community. I staunchly support workers' rights and unions, firmly believing that everyone deserves a fair wage. Additionally, I am a vocal advocate for healthcare as a right, not a privilege. I believe Social Security and Medicare are essential pillars of support for retirees and those in need. I am also pro-choice, believing in a woman's right to make decisions about her own body. Furthermore, I stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, advocating for equal rights and protections for all residents of Middletown.

Middletown faces a critical challenge: our population growth has remained stagnant for nearly 20 years. We are grappling with an affordability crisis; the average home assessment has increased 47% over the past 5 years township-wide, which is squeezing out younger individuals, working-class families, and seniors. Starter homes are scarce.

Our governance lacks a coherent strategy for sustainable development. Instead of fostering organic growth, officials rely on outdated strip malls and sprawling developments. Middletown needs a plan for Smart Growth. Currently, our infrastructure neglects crucial elements like walkability, bicycle lanes, and transit connectivity, favoring cars and worsening traffic congestion.

This status quo is unsustainable. Middletown needs a leader with a comprehensive vision for its future — one who prioritizes safety, sustainability, and the well-being of taxpayers. This November, let's vote for change. Let's vote for me, Mike Morris, the candidate who can unlock Middletown's untapped potential."