By Andrew Martins
Staff Writer
PLUMSTED – The field of candidates running for two three-year terms on the Township Committee may include Democrats on Nov. 8.
In April, when nominating petitions for municipal office candidates were due, incumbent Republican committeemen Herbert Marinari and Vincent Lotito were the only Plumsted residents who filed to run for office.
When the Republican primary election was held on June 7, their candidacies were confirmed when Lotito and Marinari received 607 and 667 votes, respectively.
Although no Democrats filed to run for office in April, when the Democratic primary was held on June 7, three residents each received two write-in votes, according to the Ocean County Board of Elections.
Residents Mitch Geier, Thomas O’Gara Jr. and Michael Bella were each named on two write-in votes. There were 12 total write-in votes submitted in the Democratic primary, according to election officials.
Election officials said representatives of the Democratic party in Plumsted have the opportunity to select two individuals to fill the party’s slots on the Nov. 8 ballot. The individuals who are chosen will run for the Township Committee seats against Marinari and Lotito.
Republicans have 5-0 control of the Township Committee.
Lotito was appointed to the governing body in January 2015 to fill a vacant seat. In November 2015 he was elected to serve the final year (2016) of the term to which he had been appointed. This year he will run for his first full term.
Marinari was appointed to the committee in December 2011 to fill a vacant seat. He served as an appointee in 2012. In November 2012 he was elected to serve the final year (2013) of the term to which he had been appointed. In November 2013 he was elected to a three-year term (2014-16). This year he will be seeking his second full term.