TOMS RIVER, NJ – Ocean County Republicans maintained their long-standing political stronghold Tuesday night, sweeping every major county and legislative race, according to unofficial election results.
Voter turnout reached nearly 57 percent countywide, with more than 273,000 ballots cast across 418 districts.
Despite competitive local races elsewhere in New Jersey, Ocean County remained firmly Republican, continuing a decades-long trend of GOP control at nearly every level of government.
Key Points
- GOP retains full control of Ocean County offices and legislative seats
- Sheriff Michael Mastronardy, Clerk Jack Kelly, and Commissioners Ray Gormley and Sam Ellenbogen all re-elected
- Republican incumbents win both 9th and 10th Legislative District Assembly seats
County Republicans post strong margins
Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy easily secured another term, receiving 179,318 votes (69.4%) to Democrat Regina Discenza’s 78,710 (30.5%). County Clerk John P. “Jack” Kelly also won comfortably, earning 176,636 votes (68.8%) over Democrat Samuel Pinkava’s 79,730 (31.1%).
In the Board of Commissioners race, Republicans Ray Gormley and Sam Ellenbogen defeated Democrats Arthur Halloran and Brandon A. Rose by wide margins. Gormley led the field with 172,965 votes (34.1%), followed by Ellenbogen with 170,007 (33.5%).
GOP holds legislative seats in 9th and 10th districts
In the 9th Legislative District, Assembly incumbents Brian Rumpf and Gregory Myhre held their seats with 69,724 and 68,339 votes, respectively. Their Democratic challengers, Lisa Bennett and Rosalee Keech, trailed with 39,261 and 38,515 votes.
The 10th Legislative District saw a similar outcome, with Republican Assemblymen Gregory McGuckin and Paul Kanitra each winning by comfortable margins. McGuckin tallied 53,963 votes (31.9%) while Kanitra received 53,451 (31.6%). Democrats Janine Bauer and Gigi Esparza earned 31,051 and 30,577 votes.
Continued GOP dominance in Ocean County
Republicans once again swept every county-level office and legislative seat, reaffirming Ocean County’s reputation as one of New Jersey’s most reliably conservative regions.
With the re-election of Mastronardy, Kelly, Gormley, and Ellenbogen, the Ocean County Board of Commissioners and constitutional offices remain entirely Republican, extending a streak of dominance that has lasted for decades.