GOP Battles For Toms River Council Control In Primaries

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Thirteen people have filed to seek the four contested seats on the Toms River Township Council, and both Democrats and Republicans are facing contested primaries for the nominations to the four-year terms.

The Democratic and Republican primaries are set for Tuesday, June 10.

There are nine Republicans running, with two for each seat in Wards 1, 2, and 3, and three seeking the Ward 4 seat.

The Democrats have four candidates running, with Ward 4 a contested primary. Ward 3 has no Democratic candidate.

In Ward 1, incumbent Justin Lamb is being challenged by Robert Bianchini for the Republican nomination. Bianchini ran for the Republican nomination for mayor of Toms River in 2023 and lost in the primary. Lamb was elected to the council in 2021, after defeating longtime councilwoman Maria Maruca in the primary.

In Ward 2, Republicans William Byrne and Clinton Bradley will be fighting for the seat. Byrne is seeking a full term on the council after winning election in November to the final year of the term vacated when Daniel Rodrick won the mayor's seat. Byrne replaced George Lobman, who had been appointed to the seat for 2024 but chose not to seek election to the remainder of the term.

In Ward 3, incumbent Republican Jim Quinlisk is being challenged by Harry Aber for the nomination. Aber is a newcomer. Quinlisk was elected to the seat in 2021, defeating Grace Piscopo in the GOP primary and Democrat Karin Sage in the general election. The seat had been held by Democrat Laurie Huryk, who chose not to seek re-election.

In Ward 4, incumbent David Ciccozzi is being challenged by two candidates for the Republican nomination: Anthony Ricotta and Anthony Matarazzo. Ricotta is a newcomer has the support of the Ocean County Republican Club. Matarazzo is a newcomer as well. Ciccozzi was elected to the Ward 4 seat in 2021, winning the primary against John J. Loiacono and then defeating Democrat Terrance Turnbach in the general election.

Lamb heads the council ticket that includes Byrne, Aber and Matarazzo, which is supported by Rodrick.

Quinlisk and Ciccozzi are part of the Republicans for Toms River club, and are running with Bianchini and Bradley in the hope of unseating Rodrick's slate and potentially wresting control of the council from Rodrick.

Ricotta is supported by Ocean County Republican chairman George Gilmore, and has support from Ocean County Commissioner Robert Arace, who helped circulate Ricotta's nominating petitions.

The Democrats seeking the nominations are Anthony Colucci in Ward 1 and Susan Gato in Ward 2. In Ward 4, Justin Moran has the support of the Toms River Democratic Club, and is being challenged by Paul C. Williams, who ran as an write-in candidate for a council seat in 2023.

A message seeking information regarding Ward 3 sent to a member of the Toms River Democratic Club was not answered Friday.