I n less than two months. John F. Coffey II went from being an Oceanport resident to the borough’s mayor-elect, largely by leveraging social media and a groundswell of write-in votes.
Coffey, running a last-minute campaign, defeated the two-term Republican Mayor, Michael Mahon, by more than 200 votes in the Nov. 3 general election.
“I was as surprised as anybody that a write-in candidate could win in just 54 days,” Coffey said. “I think it speaks volumes about people’s willingness to get involved in the political process.
“I just think I was in the right place at the right time and I conveyed the right message. Now it is one thing to run, but it is another thing to govern.”
Coffey recorded 949 write-in votes to unseat Mahon, who received 721 votes.
Coffey credited the social media campaign as the main impetus for his victory. “I think social media was a huge component, and we realized we weren’t able to go door-to-door because of the short time frame,” he said. “So instead, we printed up mailers, used a website and social media.
“That kind of sped up the process, you can reach more people in a short amount of time and convey your message.”
Coffey, who began broadcasting meetings on Facebook as a candidate, said he wants to continue to broadcast council meetings as mayor.
“The number one issue that I saw is people not paying attention to government,” he said. “What we sought to do was to start live-streaming meetings via Facebook.
“The days of having to go to a meeting and keep track of what’s going on with a hard copy is over.
“There is no reason we can’t move into the 21st century and bring the government to the people rather than have the people go to the government.” Mahon said he was disappointed by the election outcome but proud of his eight years as mayor.
“I am, but not sad with the outcome,” he said. “I am proud of the last eight years I’ve been privileged to lead this borough and thankful for that opportunity.
“Now Oceanport begins a new chapter with a new administration. I wish the new mayor all the best and hope for a better Oceanport in the years ahead.”
In the Borough Council race, incumbent Republican John Patti received 901 votes and Republican newcomer Patricia Cooper registered 843 votes for four-year terms.
There was also a write-in campaign for council candidate Cullin Wible that was not as successful. According to the Monmouth County Board of Elections, Wible received 694 write in votes.
Morale in Oceanport has dipped in re- cent months with several members of the council resigning or choosing not to seek reelection, while others publicly criticized the administration.
Recently Business Administrator John O. Bennett III announced his retirement effective at the end of the year, citing public criticism as a main reason.
Councilman Stuart Briskey, a Republican who was recently appointed to replace Robert Lynch, who resigned, was elected to fill a one-year unexpired term with 1,141 votes.
Coffey also said he’d like to live-stream Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority meetings.
“I think the Borough of Oceanport needs to be more actively involved, not only our administration but also our citizenry,” he said. “We need to be more organized and active over there.”
While running a write-in campaign for mayor, Coffey also was re-elected to the Oceanport Board of Education. However, Coffey said he would not accept that position and would step down at the end of the year.
Vote counts are unofficial until certified by the county.