RED BANK: PROVISIONALS YET TO BE COUNTED

Republicans Mark Taylor, left, Councilwoman Linda Schwabenbauer and Mike Whelan surround party chairman Sean Di Somma in celebration at the Chowda House Tuesday night. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank Republican Chairman Sean Di Somma says he’s confident his party’s long-sought takeover of the borough council will stand up to a recount and the sorting-through of provisional ballots.

The still-uncertified vote tallies from Tueday’s election show the GOP won both open council seats to claim their first majority on the governing body in a generation Tuesday.

But with about two dozen provisional ballots yet to be counted, just four votes separate Republican Mike Whelan and three-term incumbent Democrat Mike DuPont, according the Monmouth County Clerk’s website.

November 5, 2015 - 10:41 am |

RED BANK: GOP CLAIMS HISTORIC WIN

Republican Mark Taylor speaks to followers at the Chowda House as running mate Mike Whelan looks on Tuesday night. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank Republicans won both open seats to claim their first borough council majority in a a generation Tuesday.

Political newcomers Mark Taylor and Mike Whelan — who wasn’t yet born when his party last controlled the governing body — outpolled three-term incumbent Democrat Mike DuPont and his running mate, Mike Ballard, to give the GOP a 4-2 majority.

November 3, 2015 - 10:18 pm |

ON THE GREEN: TOWN-BY-TOWN VOTING GUIDE

Here’s redbankgreen’s town-by-town rundown of what offices are at stake and who’s running in Tuesday’s elections.

We’ve also got some information down near the bottom on what you need to bring to a polling station in order to vote; how to operate the voting machines; and what do do when things go awry.

November 2, 2015 - 6:00 pm |

RED BANK: LANDSLIDE COMING?

From left at top: Democrats Mike Ballard and Mike DuPont face Republicans Mark Taylor and Mike Whelan in the November 3 election. (Photos by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

Below are the results of redbankgreen’s first, totally unscientific, finger-in-the-wind attempt at election polling: a survey intended for Red Bank voters about the borough council race.

On the November 3 ballot are Mike Ballard and Mike DuPont, Democrats, and Mark Taylor and Mike Whelan, Republicans. (The links take you to their answers to a Q&A earlier this month.)

October 26, 2015 - 9:01 am |

ON THE GREEN: BALLOTS! GET YOUR BALLOTS!

The Monmouth County clerk has posted ballots for the November 3 elections.

For the benefit of Red Bank-area voters who swear every year to study the ballot before entering the voting booth but never quite get around to it, here’s redbankgreen’s town-by-town rundown of what offices are at stake and who’s running.

Click the town name to see its sample ballot.

October 21, 2015 - 2:22 pm |

RED BANK: WHO DO YOU LIKE FOR COUNCIL?

From left at top: Democrats Mike Ballard and Mike DuPont face Republicans Mark Taylor and Mike Whelan in the November 3 election. (Photos by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

Here’s redbankgreen’s first, totally unscientific, finger-in-the-wind attempt at election polling: a survey intended for Red Bank voters about the borough council race.

Running are Mike Ballard and Mike DuPont, Democrats, and Mark Taylor and Mike Whelan, Republicans. (The links take you to their answers to a Q&A earlier this month.)

Scroll down to participate.

October 20, 2015 - 9:23 am |

RED BANK: CANDIDATES TOUT THEIR VISIONS

Democrat Michael Ballard, left, with Republicans Mark Taylor and Michael Whelan with moderator Amy Goldsmith before the forum. Below, resident Jean Cash asks a question. (Photos by Susan Ericson. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

With the possibility of their party taking control of the Red Bank council for the first time in a generation, the two Republican candidates said they’ll bring fresh thinking Thursday night.

“For 25 years, Red Bank has been subject to one voice, one leadership,” Michael Whelan said at the annual West Side Community Group candidates’ night, held at River Street Commons. “When someone has been in power for 25 years, it breeds complacency. What is the incentive to lower property taxes if you’re going to win year after year?”

October 2, 2015 - 11:16 am |

RED BANK: CANDIDATES’ FORUM SET

From left at top: Democrats Michael Ballard and Michael DuPont square off against Republicans Mark Taylor and Michael Whelan at the annual Candidates’ Night on October 1. (Photos by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Election 2015 graphic With the balance of power at stake, election season for two open seats on the Red Bank council kicks into high gear on October 1.

That’s when the West Side Community Group is scheduled to host its 19th annual Candidates’ Night.

September 22, 2015 - 12:54 pm |

RED BANK: SCHWABENBAUER TO FILL GOP SLOT

Linda Schwabenbauer outside borough hall, where she hopes to win a council seat. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank Republicans may not have a mayoral candidate, but they appear to have filled the empty slot on the November ballot for two council seats.

Three months after the shortlived candidacy of Brian Hanlon ended over objections by his employer, political newcomer Linda Schwabenbauer is expected to join local party chair Sean Di Somma in his second consecutive run for council.

Nominally, at least.

September 3, 2014 - 8:30 am |

RED BANK: MINTON RESIGNS, HANLON BAILS

Sean Di Somma, above at lower right, on election night last November. Below, Jack Minton, center, with candidate Joe Mizzi and then-Councilwoman Grace Cangemi in 2010. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Once again, a Red Bank Republican council candidate is in the market for a running mate.

This time, though, Sean Di Somma will also have the title of local party chairman as he goes about finding a replacement.

Fellow candidate Brian Hanlon has dropped out of this year’s race against Democratic incumbents Juanita Lewis and Ed Zipprich, he told redbankgreen Wednesday, because his employer, Oppenheimer, objected.

And party chair Jack Minton is stepping down, in all likelihood to be succeeded by Di Somma when the the party faithful meet for their annual reorganization meeting this weekend.

June 5, 2014 - 11:29 am |

RED BANK: Di SOMMA TRIES AGAIN

Sean Di Somma has paired up with electoral politics newcomer Brian Hanlon for his second council try. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

Republican Sean Di Somma is going to try again.

A political novice who last year found himself accused of being a fugitive over a traffic ticket, Di Somma tells redbankgreen he’s running for council again this year.

He’s pairing up with Brian Hanlon to try to take out Democratic incumbents Juanita Lewis and Ed Zipprich in November’s election.

The Di Somma/Hanlon ticket, though, won’t have a mayoral candidate to oppose Mayor Pasquale Menna, who tells redbankgreen he’s going for a third four-year term.

March 31, 2014 - 12:42 pm |

Red Bank Green

Serving Red Bank and Greater Red Bank, NJ

RED BANK: PROVISIONALS YET TO BE COUNTED

RED BANK: GOP CLAIMS HISTORIC WIN

ON THE GREEN: TOWN-BY-TOWN VOTING GUIDE

RED BANK: LANDSLIDE COMING?

ON THE GREEN: BALLOTS! GET YOUR BALLOTS!

RED BANK: WHO DO YOU LIKE FOR COUNCIL?

RED BANK: CANDIDATES TOUT THEIR VISIONS

RED BANK: CANDIDATES’ FORUM SET

RED BANK: SCHWABENBAUER TO FILL GOP SLOT

RED BANK: MINTON RESIGNS, HANLON BAILS

RED BANK: Di SOMMA TRIES AGAIN