Dan Toth to Run in Brick GOP Mayoral Primary

Brick councilman Dan Toth will vie for his party's nomination for mayor this year.

Toth, a Republican, told Patch he has decided against seeking the chance to run for another term on the council and has gone before a screening committee to seek the township Republican organization's endorsement to be its mayoral candidate in the current election cycle.

"I had originally screened to run both for council and mayor, and then I narrowed it down to leaving my name in just for mayor," said Toth.

The party's announcement of who it will endorse as its candidate for mayor is expected to come next week. But Toth said even if he is not endorsed, he intends to keep his name on the primary ballot.

"If I'm not selected by the screening committee, then we'll let the voters decide," he said.

Councilman Joseph Sangiovanni said he has also gone before the mayoral screening committee, but would only run if current mayor Stephen C. Acropolis were to decide against seeking re-election. He also said he would not remain in the primary race if his candidacy was not endorsed by the committee.

"The party makes the decision," he said. "I'm a party guy. I would definitely not run in a primary against someone else."

Acropolis said he will address the subject next week when the party makes its endorsements and names its candidates for mayor and council seats.

Individuals seeking to represent a political party must register for the primary election by April 1. The primary election will take place June 4, and the general election Nov. 5.

Independent candidates have until the end of the day June 4 to register to run in the general election.

This year, three council seats – currently held by council members Toth, Sangiovanni and Domenick Brando, all Republicans – are up for grabs alongside the mayor's seat, held by Acropolis, a Republican.

There was no word on who was seeking to represent the Democrats, who currently enjoy a 4-3 majority on the council, in either the council or mayoral races.