RED BANK: In debut as mayor, Portman pledges to "keep the ship running smoothly" as town embarks on big changes.

RED BANK: With "borough" form of government slated to end, voters overwhelmingly endorse a political newcomer to lead the way.

RED BANK: Voters appear to stick with Democrats – while also endorsing changes in government and how candidates get on the ballots.

RED BANK: Republican council candidates go hard in closing days of council race, terming their opponents "MAGA Democrats."

RED BANK: Organized opposition to November 8 referendum did not materialize, but there has been pushback, and voters still have questions.

RED BANK: Civility was top-of-mind for many residents who packed a room for the first of two candidates' nights held Wednesday.

RED BANK: Voters will have two chances – or one and a half – to size up municipal candidates this week. One's in-person, the other virtual.

RED BANK: Triggiano-led slate completes swift overthrow of Zipprich Democrats, giving her his seat at the party's helm.

RED BANK: Ballard says he signed Sturdivant petition to counter "secret" pacts involving Portman, who mocks the allegation in response.

RED BANK: Political newcomer Portman trounces Ballard in Democratic mayoral primary; reform slate for county committee appears to win majority, he says.

RED BANK: Running in the June 7 Democratic primary, political newcomer Portman sees himself as a bridge past the 'acrimony' and 'machine politics' to a nonpartisan future.

RED BANK: Ballard aims to reclaim borough from "administrator on steroids" and end era of council members "at each others' throats."

RED BANK: Horgan and Okeson drop lawsuit to oust Mirandi. Up next, the June 7 showdown that pits two sides in the sharply divided Democratic party.

RED BANK: With Broadwalk dining plaza expected to return mid-July, Democrats clash over membership of restart committee.

RED BANK: Three Republicans who've previously run for council as 'placeholders' comprise mayor-and-council ticket in GOP's June primary.

RED BANK: Menna, Yngstrom and Triggiano cite interference, one-party rule and "paranoia" as roots of government "dysfunction" in Charter Study Commission testimony.

RED BANK: Democrats rupture as local party puts up newcomers to challenge incumbents Yassin and Triggiano; they say Zipprich "reeks of boss politics."

RED BANK: Tension among Democrats over the future of the borough's Senior Center erupts in public as "majority" splits with Ballard and Zipprich.