Toms River Township Council Ward 4 Election: Justin Moran

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Patch is publishing profiles of local candidates in the 2025 election, set for Tuesday, Nov. 4.

In Toms River, voters will be casting ballots in four wards for seats on the Township Council. The council seats are four-year terms.

In Ward 1, Republican Robert Bianchini is facing Democrat Anthony Colucci. In Ward 2, Republican Clinton Bradley is facing Democrat Susan Payne Gato. In Ward 3, Republican Harry Aber is alone on the ballot as there is no Democratic nominee. Republican Jim Quinlisk, the incumbent, is running a write-in campaign. In Ward 4, Republican David Ciccozzi is facing Democrat Justin Moran. Democrat Paul Williams is running a write-in campaign.

The candidates were sent the same set of questions in mid-October. Here are the answers from Justin Moran.

Name: Justin Moran

Age: 42

Family: Justin and his wife Molly have been together for 17 years. They have two sons, Declan, who is in 7th grade, and Riley, who is in 3rd.

Education: University of Hartford

Occupation: He is Product Director for a leading real estate software company, where he manages the development of technology used by professionals across New York City. Outside of tech, he’s built a creative career in entertainment as a writer. Justin brings a creative and practical approach to solving problems.

Overdevelopment has been the hot button discussion for years. In August, the Fair Share Housing Center filed an objection to Toms River’s announced plan to meet affordable housing numbers for the fourth round. How do you suggest Toms River respond?

Toms River must meet its Fair Share housing obligations. We need a plan that balances affordability with smart growth, prioritizing smaller, mixed-use developments near transit and jobs, rather than high-density projects that strain schools, roads, and services. It means thoughtful planning, quality construction, and preserving what makes Toms River a great place to live.

The issue of homelessness in Ocean County is not going away. Rising rent costs combined with scarce availability have pushed even moderate-income residents to the brink and in some cases left them homeless. What role should Toms River have in assisting those in need?

Homelessness is a growing challenge across Ocean County, and Toms River has a role to play with compassion and coordination. We can support county-led services with local partnerships that connect people to resources, job programs, and temporary housing. The goal isn’t just shelters; it’s stability. By working with nonprofits, faith groups, and regional agencies, we can create a safety net that helps struggling families get back on their feet while keeping our community safe and strong.

What is the issue facing Toms River that you believe is the most pressing and how would you approach solving it?

The most pressing issue facing Toms River is the rising cost of living — from property taxes to housing to everyday expenses — that’s making it harder for families and retirees to stay here, and young people trying to build a life here. That means controlling property taxes by attracting more ratables (businesses that strengthen our tax base without straining our services) and revitalizing our downtown to create local jobs. Also, with the new film and production industry hub developing just north of us, Toms River has a real opportunity to bring in good-paying, stable jobs for local residents - in trades, services, and creative fields alike. By encouraging small business growth and positioning our town to benefit from this regional boom, we can keep taxes low, boost our economy, and make sure Toms River remains an affordable, thriving community for everyone.