By Kenny Walter
Staff Writer
ASBURY PARK — The county’s incumbent Republicans were in a celebratory mood as results were posted on election night.
Republican office holders including Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-11), Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini (R-11), Sheriff Shaun Golden and Freeholders Thomas Arnone and Serena DiMaso, celebrated election night victories flanked by family and supporters at McLoone’s Asbury Grill in Asbury Park on Nov. 5.
According to the unofficial results provided by the Monmouth County Board of Elections, Beck received more than 60 percent of the 11th-District vote, besting Democratic candidate Michael Brantley.
“It is truly exciting for all of us,” she said shortly after her third-term victory was announced. “We are here to serve the residents of Monmouth County, we take that job very seriously.
“We are proud to represent you and be your voice.”
Beck’s entire 11th District Republican ticket was successful as Angelini and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande also retained their seats, defeating challengers Edward Zipprich and Kevin McMillan.
Angelini and Casagrande both secured a fourth term with 30 percent and 29 percent of the vote, respectively.
McMillan, who is a Neptune Township committeeman, and Zipprich, who is a Red Bank councilman, both took in approximately 20 percent of the vote.
John O. Bennett III, former state senator and chairman of the Monmouth County Republican Party Committee, said the election night victory proves the party’s ideals resonated with voters.
Bennett said the county’s message resonated with voters.
“Monmouth County delivered,” he said. “What Monmouth County has done is, demonstrated that the Republican message is the right message.”
DiMaso and Arnone also cruised to victory, besting their Democratic opponents Brian Froelich and Larry Luttell.
DiMaso garnered 95,629 votes and Arnone received 98,832 votes. Luttrell received 56,394 votes and Froelich received 58,450 votes.
Golden’s vote tally was nearly double that of his opponent, Ruben Scolavino, in the race for the county sheriff’s job. Golden received 102,840 votes across the county, toppling Scolavino’s 54,923.
Beck thanked her family and Republican colleagues after being joined on stage by several colleagues and election-winning politicians while 50-plus supporters watched, ate, drank and celebrated.
DiMaso even said that during the next gubernatorial election in 2017 there might even be a governor hailing from Monmouth County.