RED BANK – Democrat William Portman has won his party’s nomination as he seeks to become Red Bank’s first new mayor in more than 15 years.
Mayor Pasquale Menna, a Democrat who took office in 2007 and is serving his fourth term, chose not to seek re-election in 2022. His term will end Dec. 31.
Portman and Borough Councilman Michael Ballard sought the Democratic nomination for the four-year term of mayor in the contested June 7 primary election.
According to results posted online by the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office, Portman emerged victorious by receiving 747 votes. Ballard received 481 votes.
In the Republican mayoral primary, Brian Irwin ran unopposed to seek his party’s nomination. Irwin received 303 votes to gain his spot on the Nov. 8 ballot.
The results of the primary election are unofficial until they have been certified by the county.
Democratic Borough Councilwoman Jacqueline Sturdivant bypassed the primary process and filed a nominating petition to seek the mayor’s office as an independent candidate, according to county election officials.
The deadline for independent candidates to file a nominating petition was June 7.
The nominating petitions that were filed by independent candidates are being reviewed and will be confirmed on June 13, according to county election officials.
If Sturdivant is elected mayor in November, she will vacate her council seat and a Democrat will be appointed to fill the seat for one year.
Two three-year terms on the Red Bank Borough Council will also be on the ballot on Nov. 8. The seats are currently held by Democrats Kathy Horgan and Angela Mirandi.
Horgan, who has served on the governing body since 2008, chose not to seek re-election.
The Democratic nominees for the council terms will be Mirandi, who received 884 votes, and John Jackson, who received 889 votes in the primary election.
The Republican nominees for the council terms will be Jonathan Penney, who received 306 votes, and Christine Stout, who received 312 votes in the primary election.
Democrats hold all six council seats and the mayor’s office in Red Bank.