TOMS RIVER, NJ – The Toms River “Republicans for Toms River” political club has endorsed Mo Hill for mayor along with his running mates Councilman Matt Lotano, Josh Kopp, and Kevin Geoghegan. The nominee puts to bed rumors that Lotano and Geoghegan had sought to oppose Hill for mayor this year.
The Hill-backed Republican club also endorsed Greg McGuckin and John Catalano for assembly, along with James Holzapfel for Senate.
The next day, Catalano announced he would not be seeking re-election in the state race, instead announcing he would run for mayor in his hometown of Brick Township.
The move, a political chess move influenced by Ocean County Chairman George Gilmore, now leaves Gilmore’s foe, Greg McGuckin, slightly exposed in the June primary election. While Gilmore’s Toms River Regular Republican club was decertified by the GOP several years ago, it leaves McGuckin without a running mate.
Insiders have noted McGuckin is having a hard time finding a replacement for Catalano. On the other side, Gilmore is moving to endorse Gerri Ambrosio and Toms River School board member Ashley Lamb in a what is turning out to be a hotly contested race between a split GOP establishment battling itself.
Mo Hill could be facing a three and possibly four-way primary election in June. The unpopular mayor will face off against Gilmore’s candidate, Toms River Councilman Dan Rodrick, and a possible fourth spoiler candidate to dilute the votes.
Hill narrowly defeated his Democrat opponent in 2019. It’s uncertain who will win the Toms River Republican Primary election, but one thing is certain, it could be one of the most vicious and personal attack-laden races in the town’s history, echoing days past.
Hill will go into the election relying on inroads made with the town’s growing Orthodox Community that pushed him to victory in 2019. Rodrick is relying on his base to continue to support his efforts to curb overdevelopment in the town. At this time, Gilmore has not identified his candidate for mayor.