Election 2023: Rumson Council Has Republican Primary Contest

RUMSON, NJ — An incumbent Borough Councilman, a school board member and a borough employee are running in the Republican council primary Tuesday.

The mayor's race is not contested. Mayor Joseph K. Hemphill has filed for re-election.

But there is a contest for the two Borough Council terms that are open.

Councilman Gary Casazza and first-time council candidate Linda J. Smith are both running with the Monmouth County Republican Organization backing. Republican Councilman Robert Swikart is not seeking re-election.

Timothy Mulheren, who works for the borough, is running as a Republican with the designation "From Rumson For Rumson."

Here is some background on the candidates, based on interviews or statements returned to Patch:

Gary Casazza: Casazza is a longtime Rumson resident of 40 years. He has served on the Borough Council for nine years and he is now seeking his fourth term. He has also served on the Planning Board and the Board of Education, he said. In the latter role, he was a proponent of a conversational foreign language curriculum, which has been implemented.

He is a developer and in construction, specializing in modular homes, he said, and had previously been in a family business as the chief financial officer at Rex Gene Foods.

He said he supports zoning in the borough that would enable multi generations of residents to live in the community, either young people seeking to buy a home or seniors who want to downsize in town. "That's not easy right now," he said.

Linda Smith: Smith is a current Board of Education member and is now seeking a spot on the Borough Council. She said she "would like to bring an increased level of trust, accountability and transparency to the borough by helping it make fair, balanced decisions."

Smith has more than 20 years of "global experience in strategic planning, compliance and ethics, and finance, leading multi-billion dollar initiatives" for major companies. Today she is a private investor. She is a member of the Monmouth Museum Board of Trustees.

She and her husband have been Rumson residents for 15 years. Their two children attend Rumson’s Forestdale and Deane-Porter schools, she said.

"I want to give back to my community. By working with the council, I can help ensure that it continues to thrive and change to meet the needs of the future," she said.

Timothy Mulheren: Mulheren is a lifelong Rumson resident and currently works for the Rumson Department of Public Works. The son of late financier John A. Mulheren, he said he was always taught to "make his own" way in life. He is married and a father of three.

He advocates for better maintenance of the town, especially parks, playgrounds and tennis and basketball courts. He'd like to see a more proactive plan to improve amenities in the borough, he added.

He would like to be part of the workings of borough government to see where else there can be improvements. He said it's important to have someone with a new outlook be part of government.

He supports historical preservation and maintaining the character of the town. He also wants to address car thefts in the borough. "Things are going on that never went on before," he said.

Here are the candidates as their names will appear on the primary ballot:

Mayor: Full term, vote for one:

• Joseph K. Hemphill (R) Monmouth County Republican Organization
• No Petition Filed (D)

Borough Council: Full term, vote for two:

• Gary Casazza (R) Monmouth County Republican Organization
• Linda J. Smith (R) Monmouth County Republican Organization
• Timothy Mulheren (R) From Rumson For Rumson
• No Petition Filed (D)
• No Petition Filed (D)