26-02-2025
Toms River mayor's opponents strike first, name candidates for GOP primary fight
TOMS RIVER -- A Republican primary battle is shaping up for four ward council seats after Republicans for Toms River, one of the township's two GOP clubs and frequent opponents of the township's mayor, nominated their candidates for the positions Feb. 24.
Ward 3 Councilman James Quinlisk and Ward 4 Councilman David Ciccozzi are seeking re-election. They will be joined by Ward 1 candidate Robert Bianchini and Ward 2 candidate Clinton Bradley on the Republicans for Toms River ticket.
Bianchini ran unsuccessfully for mayor in the 2023 GOP primary, in which Daniel Rodrick, then a councilman, beat out incumbent Mayor Maurice B. "Mo" Hill Jr. for the Republican nomination. Toms River is a heavily Republican town, and Rodrick went on to win the mayor's job in the general election that fall with nearly 70% of the vote.
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Quinlisk and Ciccozzi, allies of Hill, the former mayor, have been staunch critics of Rodrick, and are expected to be challenged by candidates who support the mayor. Rodrick's allies on the council — Council President Justin D. Lamb of Ward 1 and Councilman Bill Byrne of Ward 2 — are expected to run.
Byrne took Rodrick's old council seat last year, after another bitter primary that proved to be a win for Rodrick and his allies.
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The primary will take place June 10.
Rodrick said the screening committee of the Toms River Regular Republican Club, the township's official GOP organization, plans to meet March 6 and will announce candidates sometime after that meeting.
The council is rounded out by three at-large members — Craig Coleman and Lynn O'Toole, who are allies of Rodrick, and Thomas Nivison, who once ran with Rodrick but is now at odds with him. Their seats are not up for re-election until 2027.
Jean Mikle covers Toms River, Seaside Heights and several other Ocean County towns. She's also passionate about the Shore's storied music scene. Contact her: @jeanmikle, jmikle@
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Toms River GOP primary fight: Mayor's opponents put up candidates
