Cortes and Reid Win Point Beach GOP Primary

Republicans Andy Cortes and Stephen Reid won the Point Beach GOP primary on Tuesday night, according to the Ocean County Clerk's website.

Cortes, who has never been on council before, was the top vote getter with 514 votes or nearly 40 percent of the total of 1,296 votes cast.

Reid, who lives on New Jersey Avenue, received 471 or about 36 percent of the total vote.

George Loder, the lone Republican to run without the backing of the local Republican party, received 307 or about 24 percent of the total vote.

Loder, who lives on Atlantic Avenue, had been appointed to council in 2004, but then lost his election bid to Corbally, a Democrat.

Cortes, who lives on Washington Avenue, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Ironically, both Loder and Reid said they did not believe the results were a referendum on where the candidates stand on the controversial ordinances calling for earlier bar closings and restricted overnight parking in District 4.

Reid and Cortes have been against the ordinances and Loder has supported them.

"I lost, but our cause didn't lose," said Loder. "I wish Andy and Steve well. They beat me fair and square.

"There are a lot of powerful people who are not in favor of what I believe in and there are a lot of people who are in favor who didn't come out to vote," Loder said. "I'm disappointed I didn't get more support in District 4. I lost in District 3, where Andy lives, and I held my own in the other districts. In District 4, it was a close election."

District-by-district results were not immediately available.

Loder said he, Mayor Vincent Barrella and councilmembers Kristine Tooker and Bret Gordon are backing

Also facing off in that election are , vying for seats now held by Reid and Democrat Tim Lurie who is not running for reelection.

Loder said he felt the turnout was low for a town with about 3,400 voters, 2,840 of whom are Republican and unaffiliated.

Reid also said the primary results were not a reflection of public sentiment on the controversial ordinances.

"They saw Andy and I had a positive plan and they think it's good," Reid said. "They see someone who made promises and who is following through and I think you saw that tonight. These numbers are very big numbers for a primary, we're very happy with them."

When asked what he thought of Cortes besting him, Reid said, "I think it's great. Andy's great."