Barnegat-Manahawkin Election Guide: Municipal, County And Federal

As we look ahead to November’s elections, Barnegat-Manahawkin Patch is devoted to bring you the information you need about every race in town. Here's our start on the municipal, county and federal candidates we'll be covering as November draws near. Bookmark this page for updates

• Barnegat Township Committee: Mayor Al Cirulli will run with Township Committeman Jeffrey Melchiondo (both R) and face newcomer Democrats Elaine Tayor and Susan Conway in November.
• Stafford Township Council: Incumbent Mayor John Spodofora (R) will run against Democrat candidate Joseph Rua in November. Councilman William Stephen Fessler (R), Councilman Henry Mancini (R) and Council president Robert Kusznikow (R) are running for re-election, and newcomers Sharon McKenna, Lori Wyrsch and Paul Krier are running for the other three open seats. Joanne Sitek, David J. Taylor, Esther M. Libenschek, Ben H. Pieper, Christopher J McManus and Brian White are running as write-in candidates.
• Ocean County Freeholders: Freeholders John C. Bartlett, Jr. and Gerry P. Little (both R), are running for re-election against Democrats George Cevasco and Bonnie Verga, as well as independents Scott Neuman of Toms River and Tracy Caprioni of Brick.
• Ocean County Sheriff: Longtime incumbent William Polhemus (R) faces Democrat Bob Armstrong and independent candidate John McMenamin.
• 2nd Congressional District: Incumbent U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R) will face Democrat Cassandra Shober, a business person and mother from Ventnor.
• 3rd Congressional District: U.S. Rep. Jon Runyan (R) will run for re-election against Shelley Adler.
• U.S. Senate: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D), the junior United States Senator from New Jersey who was first appointed in 2006 to fill Jon Corzine's seat, takes on Republican challenger Joe Kyrillos, who easily defeated three opponents in the primary.
• U.S. President: President Barack Obama will presumptively face former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in a campaign that has already focused heavily on the economy and job growth.