Republicans win first-ever County Commissioner race in Ocean

TOMS RIVER, NJ – The term “Freeholder” was deemed racist in 2020 by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and now, those former “Boards of Chosen Freeholders” are known simply as County Commissioners.

In the state’s first-ever election of County Commissioners, incumbent Republican Gary Quinn and his running mate, Barbara Crea defeated both Democrats and Independents by a margin of nearly three-to-one.

Democrats Phil Nufrio and Catherine Paura each received a combined 28% of all votes. Independents Dan Valentine, Robert Canfield and Barry Bendar each finished with less than 1% of the total vote.

The Ocean County Board of Commissioners will retain its 5-0 Republican majority.