Suzanne Viscomi, center, in 2012 with then-running mate Allen Palma. Cindy Burnham, below, continues her quest for a council seat. (Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
The Red Bank GOP’s difficulties in mounting a sustained challenge to the all-Democrat borough council continue.
The Asbury Park Press reports that Suzanne Viscomi, whose own running mate bailed on her during their 2012 council run, has quit the 2013 race, in which two seats are at stake.
There was no official announcement of the ticket change, and the Press reports that local GOP chairman Jack Minton declined to say why Viscomi withdrew.
Viscomi, flying solo, was trounced last November by incumbents Art Murphy and Mike DuPont, two months after running mate Allen Palma quietly left the ticket.
A member of the borough school board of ed, Viscomi recently began showing up at council meeting with a video camera on a monopod to record the proceedings.
Minton told the Press that Viscomi running mate Cindy Burnham is still in the race, and that a replacement for Viscomi would be named for the general election. Meantime, Viscomi’s name remains on the ballot for the June 4 primary, in which she and Burnham were unopposed, because it was too late to remove it, Minton said.
Up for re-election are incumbents Sharon Lee and Kathy Horgan. The council, led by a Democratic mayor, has not had a Republican member since 2009, after incumbent Grace Cangemi lost her re-election bid.
