JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ – After an unsuccessful bid to run for mayor of Jackson Township, hardware store owner Marty Flemming has told his colleagues he will soon be resigning from the township council.
Flemming, who sold his homes and properties in Jackson Township and Lakehurst over the past few years, is moving out of Jackson. That makes him ineligible to serve as a township councilman.
The lifelong Jackson resident lost his bid to unseat Mayor Michael Reina in 2022. Reina and his team of former school board member Scott Sargent and successful business owner Jennifer Kuhn easily defeated incumbents Flemming, Andy Kern, and political newcomer Samara Porter-Oneill.
Flemming gave the township an unofficial notice of resignation on Tuesday. He is expected to resign at the next council meeting.
It has been rumored since his election loss that he would eventually sell his homes to “Jewish” buyers. He sold his Lakehurst business property to a Lakewood-based LLC last year.
The township council will choose Flemming’s replacement, however the council is split 2-2 behind those in the Jackson GOP and those loyal to former political power player Clara Glory. In the event of a tie, Mayor Michael Reina will decide on Flemming’s replacement.
Known as a gruff businessman, Flemming is both loved and hated by people in Jackson. He runs a successful hardware store that has been in his family for generations.
Earlier this year, Toms River Mayor Maurice Hill threatened to move out of Toms River after losing his primary election bid to his arch-nemesis Dan Rodrick. Hill has since retracted that statement, but it sets a trend of losing candidates leaving town shortly after their defeat.