Two Republicans, One Democrat Running in Brick Council Primary

Two Republicans, including a former council member, are vying for the chance to represent their party in the Brick Township council race this fall.

One seat, the seat vacated by John Ducey when he was elected mayor, is up for grabs this year. The seat was filled by appointed Councilwoman Andrea Zapcic, who is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination to run in November.

But the GOP nomination will be decided by the voters. Former Councilman Domenick Brando is running under the banner "Republican for Checks and Balances," and John Ciocco – a former council candidate who was not successful in his bid – is running under the "Responsible Republican Leadership" banner.

Neither candidate is running under the banner of the Regular Republican Organization of Ocean County – the official county GOP organization that endorses candidates – but party leaders in Brick say it was a conscious decision to hold an open primary this year.

"We just thought it would be better to have the Republican voters decide who they want as their candidate this year," said John Catalano, the Brick Republican Club president. "There are no arguments going on, no animosity or anything like that. We’ll wait until the voters decide and back whoever it is."

The primary election will be held June 3.