Meet the Candidates

Alisa Cooper, an educator, musician and elected official, has politics in her blood - her mother is former Assemblywoman Dolores Cooper. Cooper graduated from Atlantic City High School and later attended the University of Maryland, where she earned a degree in music education.

She's spent her career teaching music, most recently in the Egg Harbor Township School District.

Cooper won an at-large seat on the Atlantic County Board of Freeholders in 2005 and was re-elected in 2008. Her initiatives on the board include government transparency, pushing for the board to televise and record meetings.

Cooper has lived in Linwood for the past 20 years. She's running alongside Democrat Damon Tyner in the 2nd District state Assembly race.

Damon Tyner, an attorney living in Egg Harbor Township, nearly won an Assembly seat before - he fell less than 1,300 votes short election in the 2005 Assembly race. This time around, Tyner is bracketed with fellow Democrat Alisa Cooper.

Tyner, who was born in Somers Point, attended Howard University, and later studied law at Widener University School of Law. He's served as an attorney at the Atlantic City firm Parker McCay, as well as working as an associate with Fox/Rothschild and a solicitor for the Pleasantville Board of Education.

Tyner has worked with the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City and Jewish Family Services of Atlantic and Cape May Counties.

His father, Hank Tyner, once served as Atlantic City Council President.

A surgeon, Robert Villare is mounting his second bid for the General Assembly.

Villare, 57, was born in Deptford Township, Gloucester County. He has a medical degree and has a master's degree in healthcare administration and public policy from a joint graduate program by Johns Hopkins University's business school and Rutgers University. He has held medical licenses in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.

He has never held elected office, but has served on state medical policy boards.

Assemblywoman Celeste Riley, 51, teaches computers and art at the Morris Goodwin Elementary School in the Greenwich Township School District, where she grew up. She holds a masters degree in arts administration from Drexel University.

The Bridgeton resident served on City Council there between 2006 and 2009. She was appointed to her Assembly seat in 2009 after her predecessor was appointed the state's Secretary of Agriculture. She won reelection that year and currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources committee.

Born in Camden, Assemblyman John Burzichelli has been the mayor of Paulsboro since 1996.

The Paulsboro High School graduate also runs Hill Theatre Studio, a commercial and film production facility in Paulsboro.

Burzichelli, 56, was elected to the General Assembly on his second try in 2001. He has been a deputy speaker since 2006 and currently chairs the Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee and has a seat on the Budget Committee.

Assemblyman Domenick DiCicco has worked as an attorney for 18 years, first in litigation and then in corporate life. He is now the executive vice president and general counsel of Alexander Gallo Holdings, LLC, which provides court reporting and other litigation support services.

DiCicco, 48, holds an MBA from Pennsylvania State College and a law degree from what's now known as Widener University School of Law.

DiCicco, of Franklin Township, Gloucester County won election to the General Assembly's Fourth Legislative District in 2009, replacing a retiring Democrat in a Democrat-heavy district in the only seat that changed party hands.

A redrawn legislative map this year placed him in the Third District.

Brian Rumpf is seeking re-election for 9th District Assembly.

Rumpf, 47, attended the Catholic University of America and later studied law at Washington and Lee University. He serves as an attorney at Brian E. Rumpf and Debra H. Rumpf, P.C.

Rumpf's political career began in 1997, when he joined the Little Egg Harbor Township Committee. He served the township until 2005, which included a three-year stint as mayor.

Rumpf has been a member of Assembly since 2003.

This re-election effort sees Rumpf and his fellow Republicans campaigning in new areas. Earlier this year a redistricting added Galloway Township, Port Republic, Tabernacle and South Toms River Seaside Park to the 9th District.

"We have been spending a lot of time in Galloway Township, interacting with residents, business owners and community leaders since we learned of the new map," he said.

Democrat Carla Kearney is running for 9th District Assembly alongside Bradley Billhimer.

Kearney, 58, is a Councilwoman in South Toms River, where she lives.

She works at the Mercy Center, a family resource center located in Asbury Park.

Kearney said she decided to run for Assembly after being asked by county Democratic leadership.

If elected, Kearney will support funding for women's health, oppose cuts to Medicare and Social Security - and make sure the state's millionaires pay their fair share of taxes.

Republican DiAnne Gove hopes to get re-elected to the state Assembly, representing the 9th District.

Gove, 60, has been a member of Assembly since 2009.

A retired high school teacher, she's had three stints on the Long Beach Township Board of Commissioners. She also served as Long Beach Township's Mayor from 2004 to 2008.

Gove is a Cabrini College graduate, completing her masters studies in social service at Monmouth University.

Democrat Bradley Billhimer is running for 9th District Assembly alongside Carla Kearney.

Billhimer, a Berkeley Township resident, works as an attorney at his Toms River-based law firm.

The Toms River High School South graduate attended Ocean County College and Richard Stockton College before studying at Widener University School of Law.

During his college days, Billhimer served as scheduling intern for U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg.

Following his law studies, Billhimer served as law clerk in the Superior Court of New Jersey in Ocean County, and eventually a partner in the Law Offices of Mohel & Billhimer.

He opened his own firm in 2010, focusing on criminal defense litigation and defending DWI and motor vehicle violations.

If elected, Billhimer wants to eliminate no-bid contracts to political insiders and pension padding for career politicians. He also wants to restore the senior tax freeze.

David DeWeese, a longtime municipal court judge and attorney from Wildwood, is running for state Senate in the 1st Legislative District.

DeWeese, 53, graduated from Wake Forest University and the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. He served for 22 years as a municipal court judge in Wildwood, Lower Township, West Cape May and Cape May Point and as a solicitor for three years.

He is the former president of the Cape May County Bar Association and belongs to the civic group the Optimist Club. He coaches boys basketball at Wildwood Catholic High School, where he led the team to two South Jersey titles.

DeWeese said his goal is to curb state spending and promoting job growth.

"The obvious focus should be on jobs, taxes and spending," he said. "Cumberland and Cape May counties have the highest unemployment rates in New Jersey."

DeWeese said the state should offer incentives such as tax credits and property tax abatements to attract new business.

"I'm a man of integrity. My entire career has been marked by my integrity and respect that others have in me," DeWeese said. "That's what I would hope to bring to the residents of District 1."

Jeff Van Drew is running for re-election to state Senate in the 1st Legislative District.

Van Drew, 58, is a dentist from Dennis Township. Before winning election to his first Senate term in 2007, he served in the state Assembly from 2002 to 2007. He also served as a Cape May County freeholder and as the mayor of Dennis Township.

Van Drew graduated from Rutgers University and received his dental degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

He is a life member of the New Jersey Firemen's Association.

If re-elected, Van Drew said his goal will be to make New Jersey more business-friendly and open to business opportunities, especially among the district's young adults.

"We want to create an environment that allows opportunity for young people to prosper," he said. "And we want to allow our seniors to stay and live in the state."

Van Drew said he wants voters to know he is accessible and will consider any idea, regardless of politics.

"I refuse to be overly partisan. Voters should know if it's a good idea from a Republican, I'll support it just like I would with a good idea from a Democrat," he said.

Sen. Jim Whelan, 62, was born in Philadelphia and graduated from Temple University, where he was a nationally ranked distance swimmer.

After college he brought his swimming talents to South Jersey, teaching swimming in the Atlantic City school system and spending his summers working with the city's beach patrol. He's taught in Atlantic City for more than 30 years.

Whelan served as an Atlantic City Councilman from 1982 to 1990, then mayor from 1990 to 2001. His highlights as mayor include the redevelopment of the Northeast Inlet and pursuit of non-casino attractions, including The Walk outlet shops.

Whelan was elected to the Assembly in 2005, and two years later was elected to the state Senate, serving District 2, which includes most of Atlantic County. Whelan is the chair of the Senate Committee on State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation, and sponsored legislation that overhauled Atlantic City's casino regulation and established a Tourism District within the Resort.

Mike Mulligan, an attorney from Pilesgrove Township, has lived in Salem County for most of his life. The 1986 graduate of the Rutgers School of Law, Camden, has practiced law for 23 years in Salem County. He has worked as a municipal solicitor and Salem's county counsel but never held elected office.

In his campaign Mulligan, 51, has called to end pensions for part-time officials and regionalize public sector services.

Sen. Stephen Sweeney came of age in the labor movement, working with Ironworkers Union Local 399.

The Pennsauken High School graduate was on the Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 1997 to 2010, most of which he served as the director. Elected to the state Senate in a hard-fought 2001 race, Sweeney, 52, won the Senate presidency in 2010.

The West Deptford Township, Gloucester County resident has supported legislation to rein in public employee pensions and benefits, attracting the ire of public unions.

Chris Connors, 55, is running for re-election in state Senate.

Connors was first elected to the Senate in 2007, following two decades of service in the state Assembly. Previously, Connors served on Lacey Township Committee from 1985 to 1990, during which time he also served as the township's Mayor.

Connors studied business administration at Stockton State College, and followed with an M.P.A. in public administration from Rutgers University. He completed his law studies at Rutgers School of Law-Camden.

The Republican serves on two Senate committees - Community and Urban Affairs and Military and Veterans' Affairs.

During this year's campaign, Connors plans to highlight his record of responsiveness to the constituency.

"We have a proven record of representing the people of the 9th Legislative district and they've responded to the message time and time again," Connors said.

Dorothy Ryan, 78, is running for state Senate.

Ryan has served on Barnegat Township Committee, gaining election in 2007.

Her political career began through her late husband John, who served as a committeeman.

Ryan, a retired marketing executive, called the heavily Republican district a challenge for her ticket, but she and her running mates - Assembly candidates Carla Kearney and Bradley Billhimer - are up for the test.

"The biggest challenge is that the district is totally Republican, however, because Galloway is new town we're on an even-footing going into Galloway," she said.

She said the ticket has issues that concern them and they need to be addressed, particularly high property taxes.

A graduate of Atlantic City High School, Dennis Levinson has spent nearly three decades in local politics. The Ventnor native graduated from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) and served as a history teacher before entering politics.

Levinson became a councilman in Northfield in 1982, and later served on the county's Board of Freeholders.

The Linwood resident was elected Atlantic County executive in 1999, and re-elected in 2003 and 2007.

Clifton Sudler, an officer in the Atlantic County Sheriff's Department, is running for county executive.

An Atlantic City native, Sudler has spent 21 years as an officer. He also presided over the Mainland-Pleasantville chapter of the NAACP.

The Atlantic County Democratic Committee picked Sudler to run for executive in June, after Stephen Jackson resigned from the race.

Now, Sudler, 40, will face incumbent Republican Dennis Levinson in November's general election, with a focus on taxes.

Dennis Munoz has served in law enforcement for over 30 years. Now, he's turned to politics.

A retired Atlantic City police officer and SWAT team member, Munoz is trained as an FBI-qualified sniper, firearms instructor and narcotics investigator. Munoz has also served in the United States Army and Army Reserves, retiring with the rank of Sergeant Major.

Following his retirement, Munoz was elected to Egg Harbor City Council, focusing on public safety and code enforcement.

If elected as County Sheriff, Munoz would ensure proper training of all officers and provide better coordination among law enforcement agencies. Munoz was nominated by county democrats in April, and he faces incumbent Frank Balles in the November election.

Atlantic County Sheriff Frank Balles

Ed McGettigan grew up in Atlantic County, working with his family's longtime business - McGettigan's Saloon in Atlantic City.

McGettigan managed the saloon for years, helping to turn the place into a political hotspot. McGettigan's own political career inspired some of that branding, with him serving as a Councilman-at-Large for the city between 1994 and 2001. He also served on the Atlantic City Planning Board and Atlantic County Improvement Authority.

His brother, Jim, is a former county Sheriff.

McGettigan completed his undergraduate studies at Villanova University. He was elected as Atlantic County Clerk in 2006, and is seeking re-election against challenger Michele Verno.

Michele Verno has been practicing law in Atlantic County for 17 years - eight of those at her own firm. Now she wants to serve the county in a new capacity, as county clerk.

A Northfield resident, Verno grew up here, graduating from Holy Spirit High School. She later attended Brooklyn College and St. John's University School of Law.

She was a partner in the Linwood firm of Ackerman, Alsofrom and Verno, focusing on litigation and family law, before opening her own practice in 2003.

Her current practice specializes in family law and municipal prosecution.

Verno has served as municipal prosecutor for the cities of Northfield, Egg Harbor Township, Egg Harbor City, Galloway Township, Somers Point, Estelle Manor, Hamilton Township and Folsom.

County Republicans chose Verno to run against incumbent Ed McGettigan in an April vote.

Risley, an Egg Harbor Township Committeeman since 2005, previously served as an at-large freeholder from 1995 to 2004.

Prior to his moving to Egg Harbor Township, Risley also served as president of the Mainland Regional Board of Education and the Somers Point City Council and has also served as a Linwood Councilman.

Risley is president of L.O. Thomas & Co., Inc., an investments and securities firm.

Colin Bell

Marino, a Linwood councilman since 2006, is director of operations for Richard Stockton College's Carnegie Library Center in Atlantic City.

Marino grew up in Somers Point and Egg Harbor Township and is a graduate of Egg Harbor Township High School. A graduate of Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, he also has a master's degree from the University of Denver and a certificate of advanced graduate study from Widener University.

He is the past president of Main Street Atlantic City and has served on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Atlantic County.

Schroeder, an at-large freeholder since 2009, is seeking his second term on the Board of Chosen Freeholders.

A Mullica Township native, Schroeder served as a councilman in Port Republic for five terms and served as council president from 1991 to 2004.

Schroeder graduated from Rowan University and earned a graduate's degree from Rutgers University. A retired educator from the Egg Harbor Township School District, Schroeder served as director and associate director of Government Relations for the New Jersey Education Association.

Denise Farina, of Hamilton Township, is running for 3rd District Freeholder as a Democrat.

Frank Sutton is seeking his third term as a 3rd District freeholder.

Bertino was appointed 5th District Freeholder in January 2011, filling the unexpired term of Atlantic County Surrogate and former Freeholder James Curcio.

He had served as a Hammonton Councilman from 1997 to 2011 and is currently a member of the New Jersey Farm Bureau.

Bertino is a graduate of Hammonton High School and GTE Sylvania Technical School.

Dickinson, and Egg Harbor City Councilman since 2003, is a shop steward and a member of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union 152.

Dickinson previously managed stores for Wawa Food Markets in Folsom, Egg Harbor City, Vineland, and Mays Landing.

Dickinson attended Syracuse University, Belknap College (N.H.) and Temple University.

James Vizthum is running for re-election to Absecon Council.

Vizthum was elected to council in 2008 - winning by 17 votes.

One of his main goals involved city beautification projects. As chairman of the Economic Development Committee, Vizthum was involved with the city's efforts to enhance New Jersey Avenue.

Vizthum has served as an accountant at Bally's Park Place and International Gaming Technology in Egg Harbor Township.

He has coached youth sports in Absecon for about two decades.

Bart Richter is running for election to Absecon Council in Ward 1.

An Absecon resident for 40 years, Richter attended high school at Holy Spirit and Pleasantville before embarking on a career in the culinary arts.

That field took him as far away as Alaska, where he served as a cook. But the bulk of his career has been spent in Atlantic City - working at Resorts International and Trump Castle before becoming a Maitre 'D at Bally's Park Place, a title he held for 12 years.

Richter currently works at Wolfgang Puck's at the Borgata.

During his time in Atlantic City, he's worked on budgeting and organized shifts for employees, as well as gained an understanding of union matters with Local 54. 

Richter has been a driving force behind the Shelby Richter Fund, a non-profit organization named for his daughter that funds grants, scholarships and awareness efforts for Sarcoma, a type of cancer.

That organization has raised over $200,000 for Sarcoma research.

Richter has also served as a member of the Absecon Education Foundation.

Richter is running for a seat on Council against incumbent Republican James Vizthum.

Charles "Chuck" Urban III is running for re-election to Absecon Council.

Urban appeared on the ballot for the first time in 2010, winning a 2nd Ward seat.

Urban, vice-president of the Absecon Republican Club, has worked in Atlantic City's casino industry for more than two decades.

Kimberly Horton, a Democrat, is running for city Council.

Horton is a teacher at H. Ashton Marsh Elementary School.

Horton has served as the president of the Absecon Democratic Club and Absecon Education Association. She's also served on the Absecon Centennial Committee.

She's run for council in Absecon previously. This year, she's running for election in Ward 2 against Charles "Chuck" Urban III.

Keith Groff, a Republican, is running for Atlantic City Council in the city's First Ward.

Groff grew up in Camden and Burlington counties before moving to Atlantic City in 2002, working for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1360. Recently, he's worked as a solar-energy businessman and consultant.

Groff is best known for building two solar-powered houses in Atlantic City, and has worked with the city's Alternative Energy Task Force.

Aaron "Sporty" Randolph, a Democrat, is running for re-election in Atlantic City's First Ward.

Randolph was appointed to City Council in 2010, and gained re-election in a special election that November.

A lifelong Atlantic City resident, Randolph has worked as a representative for Local 54 of UNITE-HERE, a casino union representing service workers. He previously worked as a cook at Harrah's Resort.

Tuyet Lan Dang, a Republican, is running for Atlantic City Council in the city's Fourth Ward.

Dang has business experience - owning Thanh Lan Cafe, a restaurant located on North California Avenue.

She previously ran for Council in 2009.

William "Speedy" Marsh is running for re-election as Atlantic City's Fourth Ward Councilman.

Marsh, a Washington, N.C. native and graduate of North Carolina Central University, works as facilities coordinator for the Pleasantville Public School District.

He also received a master's degree from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania.

Beyond his time with Council, Marsh served as Atlantic City's Mayor in 2007.

Marsh is seeking his third term on Atlantic City Council. If re-elected, he wants to improve the city's streets and sidewalks and ensure progress with The Walk expansion and Arts District.

Sharon Zappia, a Republican, is running for Atlantic City Council's Fifth Ward seat.

Zappia has lived in the city for 30 years, serving as a member of the Chelsea Neighborhood Association and block captain for the Chelsea Neighborhood Watch.

The real estate broker has also served on the city's Zoning Board from 1999-2001.

Zappia wants to improve the city's budget situation and tax rate while cleaning up governmental waste and mismanagement.

Rizwan Malik, a Democrat, is running for Atlantic City Council in the city's Fifth Ward.

Malik defeated current councilman Dennis Mason in a June primary, earning the spot on the November ballot.

A native of Lahore, Pakistan, Malik has lived in the region for 18 years. He owns an auto repair shop and has worked in real estate.

While living in Pakistan, he attended Polytechnical College.

His focuses include public safety - community policing and neighborhood watch groups.

Atlantic City Sixth Ward Councilman Timothy Mancuso is running for re-election.

Mancuso, a Richard Stockton College graduate, has served four terms on Council.

If re-elected, he wants to lower taxes, stop the illegal conversions of single-family homes into multiple units, and continue keeping streets clean and safe.

Mancuso is a seventh-grade math teacher and wrestling coach in the Atlantic City Public School District.

Jesse Kurtz, a Republican, is running for City Council, representing the city's Sixth Ward.

Kurtz, a lifelong Atlantic City resident, finished second in the 2009 mayor's race, garnering 24 percent of the vote.

Kurtz hosted a radio show on WIBG 1020 AM for two years.

His Council campaign is based on four principles - city restoration, government transparency, cultural events and reduced taxes.

"New Republican" candidate Tom Milhous is running for a seat on Brigantine Council.

Milhous, 64, won the June Republican primary and has been critical of the Republican-led City Council and retired City Manager Jim Barber's handling of the investigation of former Police Chief Jim Frugoli.

A seven-year full-time resident, Milhous is a consultant to the aviation industry and had been an airborne weapons system expert and a director of U.S. Navy pilot systems before becoming the vice president of a company that was bought out by Lockheed-Martin.

Richard DeLucry, an attorney with the firm of Hill Wallack LLC in Atlantic City, is running in place of Councilman Ken Schaffer, who dropped out of the race in August due to personal and professional commitments. Schaffer had been appointed in December to fill the seat left vacant by newly elected at-large Councilman Tony Pullella.

DeLucry has served as counsel to the Brigantine Democratic Club and has been critical of former City Manager Jim Barber's handling of the investigation of former Police Chief Jim Frugoli.

Kurt Renart, 63, is running for a three-year term on township committee.

Renart, a retired truck driver and former public works employee for the township, is running for his first public office. Originally of Manhattan, he moved here nearly 20 years ago, and said he thinks a change in government would be good for the community.

Sue Barber is seeking her fifth consecutive term on the township committee, hoping to keep the local government stable and fiscally sound.

Born in Mullica Township with a degree in information science from Richard Stockton College, she now lives in the Richland section of the township.

Barber, 54, is also a government relations advocate for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Delaware Valley chapter and a former vice president for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 152.

Janet Reinhard is running for a three-year term on city council.

The Stockton College graduate has lived in the city for most of her life.

She serves as the Chief Registered Environmental Health Specialist for the Atlantic City Health Department.

Previously, she ran for mayor in 2008 and a council seat in 2009.

Thomas Mazetis is running for a three-year term on city council.

This is Mazetis' first time on the ballot.

“I just think different viewpoints could help move things along,” he says.

The Republican, 49, is a graduate of Atlantic Cape Community College. He's worked as a school district sign language interpreter.

His goals for office include finding ways to attract more businesses and industry in order to make the city more affordable.

Ina K. Duran, a teacher at the Egg Harbor City Community School, is running for a three-year term on city council. Duran, 58, won an expired term in 2007 and a full term in 2008. The 58-year-old grew up in Elizabeth, Union County, and has lived in the city for more than three decades. She said she hopes to continue redeveloping the city and save taxpayers money.

Clifford Mays Jr., a veteran and retired administrator from the South Jersey Transportation Authority, is running for a three-year term on city council.

Mays, 78, has been on city council for about half his lifetime, serving more than 30 nonconsecutive years up to 2002.

He said he hopes to attract more grant money to the city and establish a community center in the city.

Hazel A. Mueller, a massage therapist and longtime city resident, is running for her second consecutive three-year term on city council

A graduate of Egg Harbor City's original high school, Mueller, 70, said she is proud about creating new events to bring the community together.

She said she has also worked to run a bare-bones government, and will continue to do so.

Daniel T. Campbell, 57, served as a state historian for over two decades in the civil service and as an interpreter at Bass River State Forest and Somers Mansion.

Currently working as an adjunct professor at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, he holds a doctorate in American history from Temple University.

A resident in the township's Cardiff section, he wants to see greater transparency in government, including the elimination of no-bid contracts and publication of all township contracts. Campbell is running as a Democrat.

Paul Hodson, 59, is currently serving his sixth year on the Township Committee, and is a former member of the EHT Board of Education.

A resident of the English Creek section of the township, he worked for 15 years as a Somers Point police officer and 10 years in the county prosecutor's office. Since 2000, he has managed security at the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center.

Hodson, a Republican, said he hopes to continue to effectively manage the township through difficult economic times.

As an accountant, Laura Pfrommer, 52, has served as treasurer for many of the groups she's been involved with, including Stockton College Business Honor Society and the Egg Harbor Township Home and School Association.

A resident of McKee City for 28 years, she decided to use the extra time she now has with her grown children out of school to run for the township commission as a Republican.

Pfrommer said she hopes to keep quality of life high for residents while working to lower taxes.

Kevin Krumaker, a civics teacher at Galloway Township Middle School, is running for a seat on the Galloway Township Council.

He's a graduate of Holy Spirit High School and has a bachelor's degree in political science from the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. Originally from Pleasantville, he has also worked part-time at Shop Rite for 19 years.

Krumaker, 35, is the president of the Galloway Democratic Club and is a part of the Atlantic County Democratic Committee. Krumaker said he will work to have all council meetings archived and available on the township's website so citizens can view meeting sessions at any time.

Jim McElwee, originally from Chester, Pa., is running for a seat on the Galloway Township Council.

A graduate of Lakewood High School and the Ocean County Vo-Tech Institute, McElwee has been a Galloway resident for more than 15 years. Since 2005, McElwee, 60, been employed as a supervisor for the South Jersey Transportation Authority, assigned to Atlantic City International Airport.

McElwee, a Democrat, is a member of the Galloway Democratic Club and serves as second vice president and chairman of the Talk Back Galloway radio blog.

He wants to see more transparency on council and to protect the quality of life in the township. He also wants voters to decide whether they want municipal trash pickup and whether they would want to see the township municipal complex sold.

Jim Gorman, who was first elected to the Galloway Township Council in 2007, is seeking reelection to the Galloway Township Council.

Gorman, 50, has worked in the casino industry since 1985 and is a 23-year resident of the township. He attended the Rutgers Labor School and is a teacher for Local 68 Operating Engineers Union School. He has served on the Operating Engineers Executive Board for 10 years and on the Welfare Board for eight years.

He wants the issue of municipal trash collection to be settled through a public vote and rejects unnecessary spending.

Brian Tyrrell, a professor of hospitality and tourism management at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey is running for a seat on Galloway Township Council.

Tyrrell, 40, a Republican, has an undergraduate degree in business administration and a master's degree in geography from West Chester University and a doctoral degree in hospitality and tourism management from Purdue University.

He is a member of the township Planning Board and the economic development and budget committees.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pa. and now a resident of the Smithville section of the township, Tyrrell wants the township to be better poised for economic development and help ensure that the township has a stable tax rate.

Tony Coppola, a graduate of La Salle University with a degree in operations management and marketing, is a current Galloway Township councilman.

Coppola, 44, is the vice president of operations for Smithville Hospitality Inc. and a partner in the Township of Historic Smithville. He returned to the township in 1997 to help rehabilitate Historic Smithville.

Coppola, who is running as a Republican, is a member of the Galloway Township Business Association and the Veterans Advisory Board. He said his strong business sense, history of fiscal responsibility and deep-rooted ties to the community ensure that he can continue to be an asset to the community.

Keith Hartman, the township's current mayor, was first elected to Galloway Township Council in 2007. Originally from Absecon, he's a graduate of Holy Spirit High School and the University of Sciences at Philadelphia, College of Pharmacy. Hartman, 40, is running as a Republican. He owns Jersey Shore Pharmacy, which has locations in Galloway, Egg Harbor Township and Barnegat. He's also a volunteer pilot for Angel Flight and volunteers with the Mid Atlantic English Springer Spaniel Rescue. His goals are to control township spending, fight dishonest practices in government and position Galloway to be competitive in terms of attracting economic development.

Aline Dix, 65, won a seat as a Republican on Hamilton Township Committee.

Rod Guishard, 67, is running as a Democrat for Hamilton Township Committee.

Nancy Rydzewski, an operations manager at Kennedy Health System's Outpatient Imaging Center, is running for a two-term seat on town council.

An assistant Hammonton little league coach, she first ran for office last year. She is a graduate of both Thomas Jefferson University and Johns Hopkins Hospital's Advanced Imaging Program.

Tom Gribbin, an attorney in Philadelphia, is running for a second two-year term on town council.

The incumbent is a Duquesne University School of Law graduate and also has a bachelors degree in political science from Villanova University.

He formerly served on the local planning board and is a current member of the Saint Mary of Mount Carmel parish.

Dan Chiofalo, a captain for American Airlines, is running for a one-year term on council.

Chiofalo served six previous years on council, last in 2004, and is also a former vice president of the Hammonton Board of Education.

A founding member of the Hammonton First Party, he also was a pilot in the NJ Air National Guard and investigator with the Division of Casino Gaming Enforcement.

Michael E. Torrissi, Jr. is running for a one-year term on city council.

Torrissi ran for Hammonton Town Council in 2007 but lost to members of the independent Hammonton First party.

When councilman James Bertino left his seat to become an Atlantic County freeholder, the local Republican club picked Torrissi to take his place.

He is a managing partner with Samuel Coraluzzo Co. and Torrissi Transport, and has a Bachelors in history from Rutgers University.

Evelyn "Evie" Tomasello, a St. Joseph High School graduate and day spa owner, is running for a two-term seat on town council.

Tomasello has worked in the medical field since 1986, later attending Atlantic Cape Community College to learn about running her own business.

That education led her to open Good For Life Wellness Center in 2007. Later, she opened Pelle Day Spa off the White Horse Pike in 2009.

Now, she's running for a two-year term on town council.

Mickey Pullia, a partner in the M.L. Ruberton Agency, is seeking his second two-year term on town council.

The current deputy mayor is a St. Joseph High School graduate and has a Bachelors degree in financial management.

He has been a member of the Hammonton Fire Department for 25 years, serving 15 as its business administrator.

Annamarie Carpo, the owner of T-Masters Auto Body Collision and Service Repair, is running for a two-year term on town council.

The Winslow native and Hammonton resident since 1988 has never held public office, but ran in 2009. The 46-year-old mother aims to attract more businesses to town.

Steven Furgione, general manager of Thorobred Landscape Co., is running for a two-year term on town council.

Furgione graduated from Hammonton High School and earned a Bachelors degree in finance from Penn State University. He is also a member of the New Jersey Farm Bureau and the St. Martin's Church parish.

The local Republican county committee has selected Ed Hagaman, of Mullica Township’s Weekstown section, to replace deceased Committeeman William Kennedy on the November ballot against former Democratic Committeeman Bernard Graebener.

Hagaman, 55, a council representative for the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters, has been a resident for more than 30 years. He graduated from Oakcrest in 1975, has served on township boards, coached little league and served in the Weekstown Fire Department.

“I want to keep the landscape of the town the same,” he said. He also wants to preserve the freedoms of hunting, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors in the wooded Pinelands community.

Bernard Graebener, a veteran and business owner in the township, is seeking his second three-year term on council. After losing his seat last fall, the owner of Blow Mold Solutions is running again. Graebener, 61, has a Bachelors degree in political science and philosophy and served in the Army from 1968 to 1972.

John S. Adams, 61, is running for the Ward 1 seat on the Port Republic City Council. Originally from Baltimore and a graduate of Glenelg High School, he moved to Port Republic in 1989. He owns Epic Management Inc., a shopping center management company based in Port Republic. The company manages shopping centers in Puerto Rico. This is his first run for public office. Adams, a Republican, hopes to use his business experience to serve the community, particularly as the city prepares to construct a new city hall.

Brandi Endicott, 33, is running for the Ward 1 seat on the Port Republic City Council. A Port Republic resident for the past four years, she became a part of this year's race after two voters gave her write-in votes in the primary election. The wife of Councilman Chuck Endicott, she a graduate student who accepted the nomination because she feels women should be active in the community, and it is important to have young female representation on the council.

Eunice Hogan, 81, is challenging Mayor Frank Craig for a seat on the Township Committee. The retired general manager of the Western Monmouth Utilities Authority is originally from Englewood.

The resident of the Oaks of Weymouth said she wants to represent local seniors and has served on the Weymouth Township Senior Citizen Advisory Board. Hogan, a former member of the township's school board, said she is concerned about increased costs for local municipalities.

"It's getting increasingly difficult for smaller communities to sustain in the economic conditions we have today," she said.

Mayor Frank C. Craig seeks re-election to his third term on the Township Committee. The Republican will face Democratic challenger Eunice Hogan.

Craig serves as the owner of Craig Testing Laboratories in Hamilton Township.

If re-elected, Craig wants to get the township out of debt by next year; apply for grants to build a sidewalk on Route 50; support the Dorothy Fire Company if it seeks to apply to become its own fire district; and conduct a revaluation.

Republican Committeeman Kenneth Haeser is seeking election to fill the remaining two years of a vacated term he filled last year. He opposed Democratic challenger Dennis Doyle.

The 60-year-old Dorothy resident has lived in the township for 33 years. Originally from Teaneck, he served on the committee from 2000 to 2005. He also served 12 years on the township's school board.

Haeser, who graduated from Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey in 1968, is a retired employee at Verizon. He has also been involved in the Dorothy Volunteer Fire Company and local Boy Scouts troops.

"I've been involved in the community since I came out here," he said. "I love where I live. It's something I've always enjoyed doing. I'm not a guy who's into politics but I enjoy the job."

Retired Philadelphia police officer Dennis Doyle, 65, is running for the Weymouth Township Committee as a Democrat to fill an unexpired two-year term. He will oppose Republican Committeeman Ken Haeser.

The Philadelphia native moved to Weymouth in 2004 and lives in the Oaks of Weymouth senior community. He received an associate degree in education from Community College of Philadelphia in 1972.

Doyle took the initiative to submit a petition to the Atlantic County freeholders to resurface 11th Avenue. He said he thinks it's time for new leadership in the township to get new initiatives.

"I don't like the ways things are being done," he said.

Doyle also said he wants more support for local volunteer fire companies.

"If they dissolve we will need an outside entity (for those services) and it will cost a fortune," he said.

Brian W. Teefy, originally from Sea Isle City, moved to Dennis Township 18 years ago and is now making his first run for elected office.

Teefy, 40, graduated from Ocean City High School and went on to Camden County Community College to earn his paramedics certification. He also took classes to be a certified tax collector and registered municipal clerk.

He currently works as a code enforcement officer for Sea Isle City, while volunteering as an EMT and firefighter in Sea Isle City since 1992.

Teefy served on the township's Zoning Board for two years.

"I just think there are other directions our township could go in and I want to be a voice for all the people and keep our taxes down."

Dennis Crippen, Dennis Township's Deputy Mayor, is running for reelection to the township Committee.

Crippen owns Synergy HomeCare, a non-medical home-care company in Upper Township. He's lived in Dennis Township for more than 15 years.

Crippen was first elected to Committee in 2005, and reelected in 2008.

He's also served as a coach with the township rec program, an Adult Leader with Boy Scouts and as a member of the township's Planning Board.

Brian O'Connor, 49, is originally from Delaware County, Pa. and moved to the township 22 years ago.

He graduated from Malvern Prepatory School in 1980 and currently works as a supervisor with the South Jersey Transportation Authority.

He has coached football, basketball, softball all through Dennis Township recreation programs and is a certified high school basketball official.

O'Connor was elected to Dennis Township Committee in 2005.

"We've done a lot of good things in the township. We've kept the local purpose tax at zero for two years, while keeping services the same. There's an awful lot of good things that we're doing and I want to continue that."

Frank Germanio Jr., a sergeant with the Cape May County Sheriff's Department, is a lifelong Dennis Township resident.

Now 38, he is currently attending Atlantic Cape Community College and plans to earn a degree in criminal justice. He also attended Stockton College for two years. He is also a certified public manager and is enrolled in the New Jersey Chiefs of Police Association Command and Leadership School.

He has coached both T-ball and youth football in Dennis Township and served on the Cape May County Republican Committee.

This is his first time running for elected office.

"My goal is to try to keep property taxes down and represent all the people not just the republicans or democrats, but all the people. I want to maintain property taxes at current levels," he said.

David DelConte Sr., 55, is making his first run for a seat on the seven-member City Council.

He was born in Philadelphia, but moved to the Wildwoods as a young child. He lived in Wildwood Crest and has called North Wildwood home for 28 years.

DelConte graduated from Wildwood High School in 1973 and went on to work for United Parcel Service for 26 years before retiring in 2008.

He previously served on the North Wildwood School Board for six years and has been active with groups such as the Greater Wildwood Optimist Club and Greater Wildwood Elks as well as the city's recreation commission.

DelConte said he chose to run because he now has the time to devote to the office. He is particularly interested in working on public safety and recreation issues for the city.

Edwin Koehler, who currently holds the At-large seat on North Wildwood's City Council, is seeking another term in office. At the end of the year, he will have complete 14 years on council.

Koehler, 69, who is originally from Philadelphia, has called the city home since 1948.

He is a retired planning and sheltering coordinator with Cape May County Department of Emergency Management.

Koehler graduated from Wildwood High School in 1960 and attended Rutgers University for a year. He is active in several community groups including the Moose Lodge, Knights of Columbus, Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Emerald Society.

Koehler said heIp would like to be helpful to the administration in anyway possible. As a senior council person, he said he has the experience to help him representative his constituents in the best way possible. "I enjoy helping people and not just with the big problems," he said.

Kelly Ann Tolomeo came from Philadelphia originally before making moving to North Wildwood in 1997. She was first elected to City Council five years ago and is hoping to win re-election.

She graduated from Goretti School in Philadelphia.

Tolomeo, 44, is active in a number of groups including the Women's Fire Auxiliary, Emerald Society, Greater Wildwood Elks Lodge 1896, and the Knights of Columbus.

My goals are to continue serving on council and representing the residents. I am a voice for the people. My Phone line will always be open. I will always try to solve complaints or anything for the people.

John Leisenring was born in Illinois and later lived in Connecticut. He bought a home in Stone Harbor in 1999 and became a full-time borough resident in 2007.

He attended Widener University and earned a bachelor's degree in business. Now, he is retired, but he was the owner of a sales/ customer service training business.

He is president of the Sanderling Condominium Association and president of board of directors Cape Christian Academy as well as a member of the borough's Realty Owners Association.

This is his first time running for office.

Leisenring said he wants to put his business skills to use for the borough.

"I want to try to get people to work together and come up with a consensus. We have to continue to draw people to Stone Harbor and improve upon that. I also would offer an open ear for residents and am focused on fiscal responsibility."

Karen Lane is originally from Allentown, Pa. and moved to Stone Harbor full-time 10 years ago. Before that, she was a summer visitor for 25 years.

Lane, 71, worked as a comptroller for a large company, handling accounts payable, payroll, personnel, healthcare benefits, cash flow, investments and established the company's 401K program, all before retiring in 2001. She also operated two small businesses of her own.

She is also on the shade tree committee for the borough and was president of her homeowners association in Sicklerville

She was president of the borough's garden club and is active with the Realty Owners Association and was treasurer for the Republican Club.

"I believe strongly in giving back to the community. I really want to be able to communicate and listen to the people. We have such a talent base in this town and its not being utilized. We have a library situation where people are furious and they don't take view of the public into consideration. I promise hand to God that I will listen and respect (the residents). The taxpayer is paying the bill. They have a right to know."

Joselyn Rich, 62, has lived most of her life in Stone Harbor, attending Stone Harbor Elementary School.

She graduated from Middle Township High School and then a junior college in Washington, DC, where she earned an associates of arts degree in retail merchandising.

Rich volunteers at St. Mary's Episcopal Church's thrift shop.

She served previously served on council for 10 years and helped establish the Stone Harbor Rescue Squad in the 1970s.

She also owned a clothing store in the borough, served on the borough's architectural review board, and was active in the Realty Owners Association.

"I just like to stay involved with the community. We made the decision that its time for a new chance and a new choice. It's good to have options. People need a choice," she said of her decision to run with Karen M. Lane.

Thomas E. Cope Jr., 67, spent time in Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware, but vacationed in Stone Harbor since 1968. He became a permanent resident in 2003.

Cope earned a degree from Drexel University in electrical engineering in 1966.

He retired in 2000 from Delmarva Power in Wilmington, Delaware, which later became Conectiv.

Cope is a member of the Realty Owners Association, as well as an associate member of American Legion Post 331, and a member of Avalon Methodist Church.

Cope has served on the borough's long-range planning committee for the Planning Board and was co-author of its master plan.

He was elected to council in 2008.

"The biggest challenges facing us are economic. I just hope to continue the progress we've made by maintaining current services while facing the challenge of not raising taxes."

Vineland native and resident William Gonzalez, 42, wants to serve as a Cumberland County Freeholder.

A1987 graduate of Vineland High School, Gonzalez served in the U.S. Marine Corps, worked for the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, and was president of the Camden County Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 316. He currently is a self-employed insurance broker.

Gonzalez is a member of the board of directors for the Latin American Economic Development Association, Inc. The organization's mission is to promote economic development to the economically disadvantaged in the Delaware Valley.

Millville Police Sgt. Jody Farabella is running for Cumberland County Freeholder.

Farabella graduated from Millville High School, and holds a degree in health and physical education from Trenton State College.

He is currently a detective sergeant with the Millville Police Department. He has worked with other law-enforcement agencies, such as the federal Drug Enforcement Agency and State Police. He formerly worked as a substitute teacher and freshman football coach at Millville High School.

Farabella is a board member of the Millville Thunderbolt Club. He said he is committed to fighting drug and gang activities in Cumberland County.

Downe Township resident Sandra Taylor is running for Cumberland County Freeholder as a Republican candidate.

She is a Bridgeton High School graduate who attended Cumberland County College as a business major. She also took American Institute of Banking classes. She's worked in the banking industry for about two decade, holding positions that include branch manager.

Taylor is involved with the Vineland and Millville chambers of commerce, is vice president of the Millville Kiwanis and a member of the South Jersey Regional Health Care Foundation Auxiliary.

Taylor said she is goal-oriented and lists team building as one of her strengths.

James Dunkins wants to continue serving Cumberland County as a Freeholder.

Dunkins holds degrees from Cumberland County College, Stockton State College, Philadelphia College of Bible, and Philadelphia Biblical University. Formerly employed by the Bridgeton Board of Education, the 56-year-old Bridgeton native is senior pastor and teacher at Shiloh Baptist Church.

A freeholder since 2008, Dunkins favors merging the Vineland and Cumberland County health departments. He said he is an advocate for working families. Dunkins lives in Millville.

Robert "Tony" Surace, a Cumberland County football coaching legend, has turned his sights to politics.

Now 63, Surace holds a bachelors degree from West Chester State College and a master's degree in health and physical education from Glassboro State College. The Harrisburg, Pa. native worked in the Millville school district for 37 years as a teacher, coach and administrator. He was a longtime football and baseball coach at Millville High School, and was inducted into several sports halls of fame.

Surace worked in the private sector after leaving the Millville school, and in 2007 helped produce a 170-page efficiency study on all aspects of Passaic County government operations.

Surace said he wants to provide new leadership to Cumberland County government - and bring honesty, integrity, discipline and teamwork to the job.

Originally from Upper Deerfield Township, William Whelan, 59, now live in Bridgeton.

Currently serving as executive vice president and chief operations officer for Colonial Bank, Whelan holds a bachelors degree from Kean University. He has also attended the University of Virginia, Rutgers University and the University of Oklahoma. He has taught at county colleges in Gloucester and Cumberland counties.

Whelan has been a freeholder since 2008, is a former member of the Cumberland Regional Board of Education, and was a licensed youth soccer coach.

He said he is focused on controlling county spending.

Carol Musso, a Deerfield Township native, is running for Cumberland County Freeholder.

Musso attended Cumberland County College from 1985 to 1987 and received her general banking degree 1994 from the American Institute of Bankers. She also attended Cumberland County Vocational School and Cumberland Regional High School, graduating both in 1983.

The 46-year-old Musso is assistant vice president of Century Savings Bank.

Musso has served on Deerfield Township Committee for 15 years, including stints as mayor and deputy mayor. She said she is committed to using her banking industry experience to slash waste and keep taxes low.

Robert Austino, 61, a Vineland resident and native, wants to continue serving as Cumberland County Sheriff.

Austino is a Bridgeton High School graduate, and attended Cumberland County College and Glassboro State College. He was a member of Vineland Police Department for 30 years, and reached the rank of lieutenant. He was a sales representative for a Nissan dealership and a fleet administrator for Riggins Oil.

First elected in 2008, Ausino said he is focused on keeping crime out of Cumberland County and ensuring the health and safety of county residents.

Michael Barruzza, Cumberland County's sheriff from 2000 to 2008, wants his old job back.

A graduate of Cumberland County College, he has completed numerous law-enforcement training courses. Barruzza worked for the Vineland Police Department for 30 years, and served in the U.S. Navy during the Viet Nam conflict.

In the most recent election, Barruzza lost the sheriff's job to incumbent Robert Austino. Now, the two are facing off again.

Barruzza has run on a record of fiscal responsibility and an increased law enforcement role for his sheriff's officers - who handle courthouse security, missing persons searches, serving of warrants and other law enforcement matters.

Jerry Weber, a Deerfield Township resident for four decades, is seeking to join Committee.

The Republican has previously served on the township's committee and Land Use Board.

He's worked as a branch manager at Courier Systems, Inc. in Rosenhayn.

Weber last ran for Committee three years ago. This time, he's running alongside fellow Republican Kathleen Tartaglia - with the challengers trying to unseat Democratic incumbents Keith Lauermann and Frank Spatola, Jr.

Kathleen Tartaglia doesn't have any political experience.

But her husband is a retired state trooper, and her son is a volunteer firefighter, and she wants to serve in her community, too.

"This is a new ballgame for me," Tartaglia. "But I'd really like to help out."

A middle school math teacher in the Monroe Township (Gloucester County) School District, Tartaglia has a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Rowan University. Some of the duties attached to her teaching career motivated her to run for office.

"As a teacher, we'll have clothing drives and food drives, and I want to do more of those types of things in Deerfield Township," she said.

A Cape May County native, Tartaglia has lived in Deerfield Township since 1986. If elected, she hopes to maintain taxes in the township and encourage business development.

Democrat Keith Lauermann is seeking re-election to the Deerfield Township Committee.

Lauermann was first elected to the body in 2008 - winning the seat by 12 votes, 604 to 592 after all the ballots were counted.

A union electrician, Lauermann previously served on the township's Zoning Board.

Lauermann and fellow Democrat Frank Spatola Jr. are trying to reclaim their seats in 2011, but face challenges from Republicans Kathleen Tartaglia and Jerry Weber.

Frank Spatola Jr. is seeking re-election to Deerfield Township Committee. Spatola first gained a seat on the board in the 2008 election.

Each year, the township holds a reorganization meeting and selects its mayor and deputy mayor from its five Committee members. From that meeting, Spatola became the township's mayor, a position he held in 2010.

During that time, he was named by Gov. Chris Christie as a mayor who supported plans to cap state, local and school spending.

Spatola, a graduate of Cumberland County College, has also served on the township's school board and Zoning Board.

Christine Wilford, a Republican, is running for a spot on Downe Township Committee.

Wilford has served on the township's School Board and Committee in the past, gaining election to the latter in 2005.

This year, she's running alongside Edward Bart.

Steve Simmerman, a Democrat, hopes to gain re-election to Downe Township Committee.

Simmerman was voted onto the Committee in 2008, running unopposed with fellow Democrat Lisa Garrison.

The two are up for re-election this year, but face Republican challengers Edward Bart and Christine Wilford.

During his tenure with Committee, he's served as the township's Deputy Mayor.

Edward Bart is running for a seat on Downe Township Committee.

Bart, a Republican, gained the most votes among three candidates in a June Republican primary.

He's running for Committee alongside fellow GOP candidate Christine Wilford.

Lisa Garrison is seeking re-election with Downe Township Committee.

Garrison has served on the Committee for two terms - first elected in 2005, then re-elected - unopposed - with fellow Democrat Steve Simmerman in 2008.

This year she faces Republican challengers in Edward Bart and Christine Wilford.

Garrison has served as the township's Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

Ocean County Freeholder Joseph Vicari

Michele Rosen is running for Ocean County Freeholder as a Democrat.

Rosen has run for several offices in the county, including for a 9th District Assembly seat in 2007 and the Clerk's seat last year.

Rosen has served as an adjunct professor at Ocean County College and is a former member of the governing body in then-Dover Township, now Toms River Township.

The Waretown resident is running for Freeholder against Republican incumbent Joseph Vicari. If elected, she wants to make Ocean County government more open and transparent.

Len Morano, currently Barnegat Township Committee's only Democrat, considers himself a voice of the people - and wants to maintain checks and balances on Committee.

An all-Republican committee would remove the body's objectivity, he says.

"I'm there to be a watchdog," he said.

Morano grew up in Jersey City and moved to the township in the 1970s. Discussions with his fellow residents motivated him to get involved in politics, and he won a seat on committee in 1976.

This is Morano's fourth stint on committee - he's served in 1976-78, 1989-1991, 2001-2004 and 2006-present. He won re-election in 2008 by a margin of less than 50 votes.

This year, he's running alongside Michael Howard, a longtime neighbor and retired police sergeant. The Democrats want to regulate township taxes and spending.

Morano, a former car salesman, recently retired from Barnegat Township School District, where he worked in the buildings and grounds department.

Howard Effron is running for Barnegat Township Committee as an independent - for the "People Not Politics" party.

If elected, Effron wants to update the township's website, broadcast town meetings and provide more transparency about spending in the township.

Effron has been writing about Barnegat Township news on his website, "Let's Talk Barnegat," for two years, according to his webpage.

The executive chef manages food operations at two Long Beach Island restaurants and has been a township resident for 25 years.

Michael Howard, 65, is running for a seat on Barnegat Township Committee.

Howard, a retired police sergeant, has resided in the township for 37 years. The New York City native moved to Ocean County in 1976.

He's been involved with different boards, clubs and committees in the township, but until now hadn't focused too heavily on politics.

"I always thought about entering politics, but as a police officer that wouldn't have been practical," he said.

In February, incumbent Committeeman Len Morano and Howard - they lived near each other for years - got to talking, and their ideologies about regulating township taxes and spending matched up.

So the two decided to run on a Democratic ticket for this year's election, hoping to break the Committee's Republican stronghold.

"We're the tax busters," Howard said.

Marty Lisella is running for re-election on Township Committee - hoping to build upon some of his successes during his first term in office.

Following his election in 2008, Lisella has pushed to reduce the township's recycling collection from weekly to biweekly; switch municipal worker health benefits to a state plan; and reduce the number of township employees by pursuing shared services partnerships.

Those initiatives, he says, are saving Barnegat Township hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.

If re-elected, Lisella wants to see an overhaul to the county and state's process for assessing the value of homes.

"The latest property value reassessment in the township was reported in 2007, and since that time we've been inundated with appeals," Lisella said. "Instead of continuing to use the current system, we should be applying formulas that show the true value of a home."

Lisella's passion is fueled by his career in real estate. He serves as a manager/broker with the Van Dyk Group, a real estate agency located in the township.

The northern New Jersey native also has an active broker's license in Florida.

He previously served as the operator of Dunkin' Donuts franchises in Florida and Ocean County - overseeing the second-most successful Dunkin' Donuts in the state, he said.

Maxine Blumenthal thinks her nickname - "Bulldog" - suits her.

"I'm persistent and passionate," Blumenthal said. "I've always done things that way."

With that mindset, Blumenthal hopes to rejoin Barnegat Township Committee. She entered township politics in 2003, following a career as a teacher, specializing in children with learning disabilities.

Blumenthal was elected to township committee that year, and later served as Barnegat Township's Deputy Mayor.

She appreciated the political process and enjoyed solving community problems, especially those centered on the Brighton at Barnegat and Pinewood Estates developments. But her husband became terminally ill, and she didn't pursue reelection in order to care for him.

Blumenthal's husband later passed away, and "after the Jewish period of mourning, I was ready to continue serving the Republican party and Barnegat Township Committee," she said.

Blumenthal is running alongside Marty Lisella this year, with the two garnering the top spots in a June Republican primary.

Gary Vaccaro, a Democrat, is running for Township Committee.

Vaccaro has over 30 years of regulatory compliance experience, most recently serving as the supervisor of regulatory compliance and health and safety for Brick Township's Municipal Utilities Authority.

Vaccaro wants to use that background to help solve the township's problems - and ensure that the township has a responsible budget plan. "I started getting more involved with meetings, and I didn't like some of the things I was seeing," Vaccaro said. "I want to be a positive voice up there."

If elected, Vaccaro hopes to use his background to help the township prepare for the closing of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, which is slated to occur in 2019.

A 10-year Lacey Township resident, Vaccaro has a Masters degree in environmental science from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Republican David E. Most is seeking re-election to Lacey Township's Committee.

Most has served in that position for two terms, including stints as Lacey's Deputy Mayor and Mayor. He was first elected to Committee in 2005 and was re-elected in 2008, defeating Democrat Barry Bendar by more than 3,000 votes.

Most has lived in the township for nearly 40 years - and has served as a lead instrument technician at the Oyster Creek nuclear plant.

James Breitling, a Democrat, is hoping to break the GOP's dominance on Surf City Council.

Breitling and his wife own and operate 4-Bee's Polish American Deli in Surf City. Previously, he spent more than 30 years in the construction industry as a union carpenter in Philadelphia.

Breitling's run for Council before - falling short of defeating Council President Francis Hodgson Sr. in 2008 by 25 votes.

He hopes to break the city's Republican stronghold.

"The town's been run by the same people for 40 years, and they control everything that happens," Breitling said. "This is a clean town, a safe town, but it's run the way council wants, and it's time for a change of leadership."

Robert DeLorenzo is running for Surf City's Council.

DeLorenzo is a former officer in charge with the Pennington, Mercer County Police Department - overseeing scheduling, reviewing budgets and handling day-to-day operations.

DeLorenzo has also served as a longtime general contractor.

DeLorenzo has run for council in the past, and he hopes - along with running mate James Breitling - to break the body's longstanding Republican stronghold.

William Hodgson, a Republican, is running for re-election for Surf City's Council.

A building contractor and real estate agent with his family's company, Island Realty, Hodgson joined Surf City Council in 1998.

He and his father, Francis Hodgson Sr., have maintained a Republican stronghold on council, winning each of the last four elections together, three of them unopposed.

Surf City Council President Francis Hodgson Sr. is seeking re-election - hoping to continue a four-decade political career.

Hodgson has been serving on the council since the late 1960s, running opposed in many of the elections. His son, William, joined him on Council in 1998.

Hodgson was elected to the New Jersey League of Municipalities Elected Officials' Hall of Fame in 1999.

The Hodgson family owns Island Realty.