BY MICHELLE ROSENBERG
Staff Writer
MATAWAN — Democratic voters showed their support for the three candidates who ran on the party line during the June 7 primary.
Thomas Smith beat out James Shea for the opportunity to run as the Democratic candidate for the mayor’s seat in November, while his running mates, Mary Aufsesser and William Malley, were victorious over Brittany Wolverton in their bid to run for Borough Council.
Malley said the results are proof that the Democrats in Matawan are aware that he and his running mates have put together a good slate.
Smith received a total of 92 votes, plus four absentee votes. Shea received a total of 44 votes and one absentee vote. Aufsesser received 112 votes and five absentee votes. Malley received 110 votes and five absentee votes and Wolverton received 42 votes.
Malley said that he and his running mates are looking forward to campaigning for the November election and taking some seats on the entirely Republican governing body.
He said they plan on “putting a voice of reason back into the council.”
Malley said that taxes and maintaining a good infrastructure will be among the focal points of their campaign.
He said the buildings in the borough need work, and the downtown area needs to be revitalized.
“We have a little gem of a downtown area, and it’s a shame it’s neglected,” he said.
Shea said that he is not bitter at all that he lost the primary, and he wishes all three candidates the best of luck.
He said he is not embarrassed that he ran and lost, because in the past the Democratic Party has not always put up candidates, and those who do run don’t always actively campaign in November.
He said he hopes Smith, Malley and Aufsesser run a good campaign and are able to get some seats on the council.
“Matawan shouldn’t be a one-party town,” he said.
He also said that he plans to remain politically active despite his defeat.
Wolverton said she is disappointed, but also plans to remain active. She said she has plenty of time to run again, considering she is only 22 years old.
Smith will run against Republican incumbent Mayor Beatrice Duffy, who was appointed earlier this year after the resignation of Robert Clifton. The winner of the upcoming November election will finish out the remaining two years of Clifton’s four-year term.
Aufsesser and Malley will run against Republican incumbent council members Sharon Roselli and Robert Kee.