Politics & Government

Party-Backed Democrats to Face Off Against Joe Lamb in Primary

GOP primary is uncontested this year in Brick

A former Democratic candidate for the township council will go up against the local party organization in Tuesday's primary election.

Joe Lamb, who previous ran unsuccessfully for a spot on the governing body in the general election, is a staple at township council meetings, often questioning the policies of the all-Republican council.

The Democratic organization chose John Ducey, Susan Lydecker, James Fozman and Robert Moore as its ticket this year.

Find out what's happening in Brickwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Lamb did not seek the party's endorsement this time around, but instead decided to mount a primary run against the regular party organization by himself. He'll appear on Tuesday's ballot under the Brick Democrats for Fiscal Accountability banner.

Lamb told Patch that he felt the party tried to "obstruct" him in the screening process in the past and he didn't agree with how the party was looking to puts its campaign together this year. He said that, if chosen to represent the Democrats, he'd mount a general election campaign based on his leadership in opposing the township's purchase of the Ocean Ice Palace and limiting spending. He also said he'd more closely monitor appointments to boards and employment positions.

Find out what's happening in Brickwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"If I do very well, and poll very strongly, that adds to my political capital," Lamb said. "That's what I'm hoping for and that's what I'm pushing for."

Anthony Lazroe, the chairman of the local Democratic organization, told Patch that Lamb is inconsistent in his political positions and "shoots from the hip."

Lazroe referenced Lamb's about-face on his position opposing - then supporting - the municipal budget cap referendum when asked about the claim of inconsistency. The regular party organization neither opposed nor supported the referendum.

Lazroe said the four candidates put forth by the party will run an aggressive campaign which will stay focused on the issues.

"We're not going to invent issues, we're going to examine them," Lazroe said.

Four seats - and, thus, control of the council as a whole - will be up for grabs in the general election in November. The Democrats will need to win all four seats to claim a majority.

As for the Republicans, incumbent councilmen Brian DeLuca, Michael Thulen and Anthony Matthews will be joined on the ticket by newcomer John Catalano, who currently serves on the township planning board. The GOP candidates are running uncontested. Councilwoman Ruthanne Scaturro seeking an additional term on council.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. For a list of polling places, consult with the Ocean County Clerk's website.

Editor's note: A sentence in an earlier version of this story indicated that Joe Lamb sought the Democratic party's endorsement this year. This sentence has been corrected to indicate that Lamb did not screen with the party this election cycle.


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