Toms River Council Election 2024: Zach Dougherty

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Patch is again publishing profiles of local candidates in the 2024 election, set for Tuesday, Nov. 5.

In Toms River, the only municipal seat up for election is in Ward 2, where two candidates are seeking the one-year unexpired term. The seat had been held by Daniel Rodrick before he was elected mayor in 2023. It has been filled in 2024 by George Lobman, who chose not to seek election to the seat.

William Byrne, 82, is running as the Republican candidate after decades as a registered Democrat, and Zachary Dougherty, 23, is the Democratic candidate. Dougherty is a lifelong Toms River resident.

Here is the response from Zach Dougherty.

Name: Zach Dougherty

Age: 23

Family: Mom (Vicki), Dad (Scott), & two older brothers (Brad & Ryan)

Education: Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Political Science from Monmouth University (Magna Cum Laude) & I'm currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Legislative Affairs from the George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management.

Occupation: Paid Administrative Staff Assistant with the League of Women Voters of New Jersey. Due to the nonpartisan policy of LWV-NJ, I transitioned from my role as a community organizer and government affairs agent to an administrative position as a result of my partisan candidacy.

Any previous elected office or appointments in local government? Previously served in the following government offices: United States Senate Intern, United States House of Representatives Intern, New Jersey State Legislature Intern, New Jersey Historic Trust Intern, and New Jersey Legislative Youth Council Representative.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for. My brother is a Brielle Borough Police Officer and my sister in-law is a Monmouth County Sheriff's Communications Dispatcher.

Why are you running for office?

As an Eagle Scout, I was raised to stand up for my community. I’m running for office because we need leadership that listens and legislates with transparency, rather than operating behind closed doors. It's our responsibility to restore trust, bring back civility, and ensure that every voice in our township is heard. I hear the voices of a Toms River High School North student worried about inadequate state and local resources to address the rising mental health crisis, a mom and small business owner anxious about the costs of keeping her shop in Toms River, and a Greenbriar senior concerned about the dangers of traffic congestion and overdevelopment. Our local government is more focused on ego than on serving the needs of the people.

What do you see as the biggest issue facing Toms River right now and how would you address it?

The biggest issue facing Toms River Township right now is the absence of effective leadership. There has been gross political mismanagement over the past year, marked by the defunding of our police department, the closing of our animal shelter, and the termination of Silverton EMS — decisions that have undermined public safety and the well-being of our community. Cutting emergency services isn’t just irresponsible; it’s playing politics with people’s lives. The current administration and council has fostered a culture of retaliation against anyone who dares to hold a contrary opinion. They govern with a mentality that treats anyone outside their inner circle as the enemy, dividing our community instead of uniting it. My solution is to lead by example. I want to be well-informed and actively engaged on every pending issue. The mayor shouldn’t have to lean over and instruct me on how to vote; I’ll make decisions based on what’s best for the people of Toms River. Local government is where people should feel the strongest sense of agency regarding the issues that impact their daily lives.

Name one thing about Toms River that always makes you smile.

As someone born and raised in Toms River, it’s hard to pick just one thing that makes me smile. Whether it’s sharing a pork roll, egg, and cheese with my brothers on the way to rainy opening day at TRELL, watching my first Pinewood Derby car zoom down the track, or sipping watered-down hot chocolate while Halloween floats pass by with my family—it all brings a smile to my face. Toms River is more than just the thrill of Friday night lights; it's a place where people strive to make their community or someone’s life a little brighter than they found it.