After more than 20 years of Republican control of the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders,Monmouth County Democrats think their time has come to run the show.
Glenn Mason of Hazlet and Amy Mallet of Fair Haven have been selected as the Democratic Party nominees to run for two open seats on the five-member freeholders board.As of this point they will be uncontested in the June primary and will have the Democratic line in the November general election.
Republicans control the freeholder board with a 3-2 majority. A win by either Democrat in November would shift control of the board to the Democrats.
“We certainly think this year is the year for the Democrats,” Monmouth County Democratic Party spokesman Michael Mangan said. “We’ve added a Democrat to a (freeholders) seat for the last two years. Monmouth County residents are ready for a change and these are the candidates to do that.”
Democratic Party officials chose Mallet and Mason on March 8 at the Democratic county convention held at the Shore Casino in Atlantic Highlands.
Mason is a retired Hazlet police officer and Mallet is a small business owner.
Mason is currently president of the Hazlet Board of Education and is running for re-election to the school board. He served previously as the coordinator of the Office of EmergencyManagement for Hazlet and is a member of the New Jersey Emergency Management Association.
As a detective, Mason was charged with investigating crimes that took place throughout Hazlet, including narcotics crimes and gang violence.
Mason said in a press release that as president of the school board, he is familiar with the budget process and the importance of keeping control of property taxes.
Drawing on his law enforcement background, he said he knows that integrity and honesty must be the primary concern of public officials.
“The people must have faith restored in their government,” Mason said in the press release. “I intend to restore the people’s trust and ensure that Monmouth County’s elected [officials] are held to the highest standard of ethics and morals.”
Mallet is the owner of Amsley Promotions, a business dedicated to helping clients build and further their businesses. She has been the recipient of awards for excellence in business as well as a leader among women in business.
“As a small-business owner, I know that the only way to reduce costs is to cut spending. I hope to bring the practicality of a business owner to the operations of county government,”Mallet said in the release.
The Monmouth County Republican Party convention will be held March 26.

