By MICHAEL NUNES
Staff Writer
RED BANK — The borough’s Republican Party has chosen who they are going to support for the November general election, and it does not include incumbent Council President Cindy Burnham.
According to borough Republican Chairman Sean DiSomma, the Party has decided to back Brian Hanlon, a financial adviser who has served on the borough’s Environmental Commission and was recently appointed as a liaison for the Red Bank RiverCenter Board, and Kellie Colwell, an artist who has lived in the borough for two years, for the Nov. 8 general election.
“I think first and foremost there are two better candidates out there,” said DiSomma as to why the 14-member committee did not choose to back Burnham.
After the committee chose its nominees on April 3, according to DiSomma, Burnham “stormed out“ and said she would see them in November as an independent candidate.
DiSomma also mentioned that Red Bank is facing increased competition from other towns and is at a crossroads, which Burnham is unprepared for citing her vote to raise taxes the first year she sat on council.
“Cindy represents the ‘Dead Bank’ era,” DiSomma said.
In a phone call Burhnam stated that she had accomplished a great deal on council from advocating for the reconstruction of the tennis courts in Marine Park, voting “No” on a $1.9 million dollar bond ordinance to replace the borough’s water meters, as well as fighting against the addition of a spray park at Bellhaven.
“The party is engaging in the same mistakes as the old administration,” Burnham said in regards to what she sees as needless spending of taxpayer’s money.
She also stated that she would seek to run in November as an independent candidate.
“If I lose, I will lose on my own terms. If elected I will continue to be the voice of reason for the residents of Red Bank,” she said.
Burnham, who was made council president in January, was the first in a string of electoral successes that led to Republicans clinching majority on council, was not nominated by the Party’s committee to run for re-election.
Two three-year council seats, which are currently held by Burnham and Democratic Councilwoman Kathleen Horgan, are up for grabs.
The Republicans currently hold a 4-2 majority on council with Burnham, Linda Schwabenbauer, Mark Taylor and Michael Whelan.
Democrats currently on council include Horgan and borough Democratic Chairman Edward Zipprich. Mayor Pasquale Menna is also a Democrat.