Ducey to Run For Mayor, Will Face Primary Challenge From Lamb

Brick councilman John Ducey has received his party's endorsement to run for mayor this year, though he will first have to fend off a primary election challenge from fellow Democrat Joe Lamb.

Ducey, a councilman for over a year, is being endorsed by the local Democratic organization. Lamb is running in the Democratic primary on his own.

Candidates who sought to run under a party banner for local offices had until the close of business Monday to file petitions with the township clerk's office indicating their desire to represent their party.

Last week, the township's Republican organization announced it was supporting Councilman Joseph Sangiovanni for mayor. Councilman Dan Toth is challenging Sangiovanni for the Republican nomination.

"We really need a fresh perspective on things," said Ducey, when asked why he decided to run for mayor. "Spending has been out of control over the last few years."

Ducey said he expects the primary issues in the mayoral campaign to be the recovery from Superstorm Sandy, especially the financial impact on the entire town, and spending as a whole. Ducey said he would also stop the practice of "giving six-figure jobs to friends and creating six-figure salaries."

Ducey will run as part of a ticket that will include Marianna Pontoriero, Charles P. Tivenan and Heather Dejong, who are seeking to fill three seats up for grabs on the township council.

Lamb is running on his own.

"I think the financial situation in town is completely out of control," said Lamb. "Some of the financial situations that the town has gotten involved in leave a lot to be desired."

Lamb singled out the French's Landfill solar project as one on which "more homework should have been done."

Lamb said he is running for office outside of the official Democratic party organization because, "I don't want to be tied down with the things that are not so good," he said.

"There's really not much of a discussion from the council members when things have taken place at the meetings. There isn't a give and take with the mayor," he said. "Sometimes I get up there and address some of the issues the council should be."

No additional candidates filed petitions to run in the Republican primary.

John Hall, a Mantoloking Road resident, filed a petition to run in the Democratic primary on his own for a council seat.

Incumbent councilman Domenick Brando, along with newcomers John Ciocco and Victoria Chadwick, will run unopposed for the GOP's nomination for council seats.

The primary election will be held June 4.