Outgoing Councilman Brando Announces Campaign for Unexpired Council Seat

Outgoing Councilman Domenick Brando will seek the council seat vacated by Brick Mayor-elect John Ducey, with the primary this June.

Brando announced at this week’s Brick Council meeting in his outgoing comments that he had resigned from the Brick Regular Republican organization but would be filing his candidacy for the June primary. The primary winner would go on to the November contest for the unexpired term for the council seat. Ducey will step down from the council to be sworn in as Brick’s Democrat mayor on Jan. 1.

Brando sought a second term to the council but lost this November in what he called a smear-filled campaign season, one that left him disappointed it focused less on the issues.

“It was a rough election season,” Brando said. “I would rather it be based on issues than smear, but unfortunately that was not this one.”

He received a lot of post-election support from residents who would regularly come up to him decrying the results. But it was the support of his family that ultimately would convince him to run again, Brando said.

“It was the prompting from my kids … They took my advice that you never give up and you keep trying as their argument. They convinced me,” Brando said.

He said he’d be assembling a team of volunteers and supporters to help push the primary campaign.

By resigning his Regular Republican Club position, there would be “no outside pressures. No political influence, bosses pushing an agenda. What you see is what you get,” Brando said.

He said he plans to run a “strong spirited campaign.”

“When get to November hope its about campaign issues,” Brando said.

In his outgoing comments Brando thanked his supporters and admitted the term was filled with natural disasters such as blizzards and hurricanes such as Hurricane Sandy that “changed life as we know it for every single one of us in Brick.” Brando’s own home was devastated by the storm.

While the weather was tumultuous, so was the politics, Brando said.

“Republican, Democrat or Independent, it doesn’t matter, When elected I took an oath.,” Brando said. “It was an action filled term. I know we had some tumultuous times, but difference of opinions can help you get where you need to.”

A founding member and  Past President of Brick Little League, Brando was also a member of the Knights of Columbus No. 836 and has served on the Brick Township Planning Board, Board of Adjustment and the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee.

“My whole life has been about helping and giving back and serving the community,” said Brando looking over his first term on the council: “Thank you for letting me serve you in these last four years.”

He thanked the township administration and his fellow council members.

“I hope I am sitting back up here with you in November,” he said.