BY KAREN E. BOWES
Staff Writer
MATAWAN — Freeholder Amy Handlin and Sam Thompson defeated longtime incumbent Joseph Azzolina June 7 in the Republican primary race for State Assembly, District 13.
From her headquarters at the Buttonwood Manor on Route 34, Handlin thanked supporters.
“This has been very, very stressful,” Handlin said during her victory speech. “It’s always sad when we have a family fight, but sometimes it’s necessary.”
It was an election that divided the Republican Party, literally, into two factions.
In a district that spans two counties, the Middlesex County Republican Organization threw its support behind Azzolina while the GOP in Monmouth County went with Handlin. Both counties supported Thompson.
On election night, Azzolina did not call Handlin to concede.
“I wouldn’t talk to him even if he did,” Handlin told reporters.
Thompson joined Handlin at her headquarters late that night.
“This was perhaps the most awkward election I’ve ever been in in my 38 years in politics,” Thompson said. “I had two great running mates.”
“I wish Sam lots of luck,” Azzolina said. “I can’t say nice things about Amy. She put out a nasty, rotten, lying piece about me and my family and I can’t forgive her for that.”
District 13 state Sen. Joseph Kyrillos also made an appearance at the Handlin camp.
“This is an outstanding win,” Kyrillos said. “Primaries are the worst kinds of elections, but that is all in the past tense now.”
Kyrillos called Handlin a “star” as a member of the Monmouth County Freeholders.
“She’s a role model for women — and for men,” Kyrillos added.
Azzolina said he has no plans “as of now” to seek elected office elsewhere.
“I have six months left of my term,” Azzolina said. “Now I can be outspoken about many issues without worrying about running for re-election.”
Azzolina thanked Old Bridge voters for supporting him; he received roughly 600 more votes than Handlin did in the Middlesex County town.
All told, Thompson received 5,548 votes, Handlin 4,561 and Azzolina 3,943.