FREEHOLD – Democrats will maintain control of the governing body in Freehold Borough, with Adam Reich and Margaret Rogers winning three-year terms on the Borough Council and Kevin Kane claiming the four-year term of the mayor’s office in the Nov. 5 election.
According to results posted online by the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office, Kane received 1,128 votes on Election Day to become the next mayor of Freehold Borough. Republican Mary Ann Earle received 871 votes in her bid for the mayor’s office.
Kane is a member of the Borough Council whose current term will end in December. Instead of seeking re-election to his council seat, he sought and won the mayor’s office.
Kane, a lifelong resident of the borough, will be sworn in as mayor in January. He will succeed Democrat Nolan Higgins, who will conclude eight years of service as mayor, and follow in the footsteps of his father, Roger J. Kane, who served as mayor from 1975-80.
In the race for Borough Council, Rogers and Reich received 1,102 votes and 1,068 votes, respectively, to defeat Republicans Michael Lichardi (892 votes) and Lori Annetta (855 votes).
Rogers was appointed to a vacant seat on the council in December 2018 and joined the governing body in January. She has been a resident of the borough since 1992.
Reich will join the council in January to begin serving his first term. He will follow in the footsteps of his mother, Lynn Reich, who served on the council from 1979-90.
After the election, Reich said, “I’d like to thank the residents of Freehold Borough for electing me to represent you on our council. It is such an honor have earned the respect of so many people in our community over the years and I am humbled that you would put your trust in me. I am eager to start my position as councilperson and continue to serve you as a member of our governing body.
“A very special thank you goes to my wife, Tara, my two sons, Ethan and Brayden, and my parents, Ron and Lynn Reich, for all their support during our campaign,” he continued. “I could not have accepted the nomination from the Freehold Borough Democratic Committee without knowing that they were with me along this journey. I would also like to thank my running mates, Mayor-elect Kevin Kane for all his leadership and guidance, and Councilwoman Margaret Rogers for all her encouragement and words of wisdom as we worked together towards this month’s general election. I’d also like to thank all the volunteers and supporters who spent countless hours walking with us, making phone calls and writing letters, and assisting our team at every turn. We couldn’t be here today without you.
“The position of councilperson is a responsibility that I do not take lightly and I will strive to work with each of you to continue to improve our community and keep Freehold Borough as a star on the map of New Jersey. Again, thank you for the opportunity to serve you and our great Freehold Borough.”
The results of the municipal election will remain unofficial until they are certified by Monmouth County.