BRICK, NJ – At the end of election night on Tuesday, Brick Mayor Lisa Crate, a Democrat, led her Republican opponent by just 261 votes. Ocean County Clerk John Catalano, who ran unsuccessfully for Brick mayor against Crate last time, said he was confident that more ballots remained to be counted.
And there were, but Crate’s lead continues to grow. She now leads by 332 votes.
As of Tuesday, Crate was leading in her re-election bid, ahead of Republican challenger Madeline Colagiovanni Iannarone by a slim margin to remain mayor of Brick Township.
Crate secured 16,705 votes, edging out Iannarone’s 16,444, according to unofficial results released by the Ocean County Clerk’s Office.
Ocean County clerk and former failed mayoral candidate John Catalano said more votes are left to be counted including late mail-in ballots and provisional ballots.
The race drew a strong turnout across all 57 districts, with more than 33,000 ballots cast.
Key Points
- Democrat Lisa Crate re-elected as Brick mayor by 261 votes
- Crate emphasizes halting overdevelopment and preserving open space
- Pledges continued support for veterans and affordable housing initiatives
Crate touts record on development control
Crate, 54, a retired teacher and lifelong educator, said Brick has succeeded in avoiding the overdevelopment seen elsewhere in Ocean County. She credited strict zoning enforcement and a focus on open space preservation for maintaining the township’s suburban character. “Our population has remained stable, and we’ve halted all high-density residential construction,” Crate said, noting that more than 800 acres have been permanently protected under recent administrations.
She contrasted her record with that of former zoning board member Iannarone, citing the approval of two major apartment complexes during Republican control. “When my opponent was on the Zoning Board, she voted for the New Visions complex behind ShopRite — a project that increased congestion in that area,” Crate said.
Preserving open space remains a priority
Under her leadership, Crate said Brick has continued to acquire and preserve green spaces, most recently preventing a proposed 60-home development in Breton Woods. “We saved 31 acres of forest and preserved three other parcels this year,” she said, adding that more land preservation efforts are planned for the coming year.
Addressing housing and homelessness
Crate said her administration works with nonprofits to provide support for residents in need, particularly veterans. She highlighted Brick’s partnership with Homes Now to create handicapped-accessible apartments for veterans, as well as the ongoing efforts of the Brick Housing Authority to provide affordable units for the elderly and disabled. “It’s the least we can do for those who served our country,” Crate said.
Keeping Brick safe and stable
Responding to political criticism, Crate reaffirmed that Brick is not a sanctuary city, referencing a 2019 resolution that formally declared the township’s stance. “My focus is keeping Brick safe and affordable,” she said. The mayor pointed to a record-high police staffing level of 146 officers and a reported 44 percent reduction in crime as indicators of progress.
Crate said her administration will continue to prioritize public safety, affordability, and quality of life. “We’ve kept taxes stable, improved services, and made Brick safer than ever,” she said.