Brick Mayor Ducey, Council Incumbents To Seek Re-Election

BRICK, NJ — Brick Township Mayor John G. Ducey and three fellow Democrats and incumbent members of the Township Council — Marianna Pontoriero, Paul Mummolo, and Heather deJong — have announced their plans to seek re-election.

Ducey, Mummolo, Pontoriero and deJong swept to a stunning victory for Democrats four years ago, going against the usual trend in Ocean County, where Republicans are favored by a 2-to-1 margin most of the time.

The election of Ducey and his slate in 2013 gave Brick an all-Democratic council and mayor, a position solidified in 2015 with the election of Democrats Andrea Zapcic, Jim Fozman, Lisa Crate and Art Halloran. In 2013, Ducey defeated Republican Joseph Sangiovanni by 22 points in an election year where Chris Christie won Brick by a 2-to-1 margin.

Ducey has stressed the efforts by himself and the council to reduce the township's debt and keep a lid on increases in the property tax rate. After three years of small increases, Ducey announced the 2017 budget will result in a decrease in the municipal portion of the tax rate for the first time in 30 years.

Ducey and the council have continually touted accomplishments that include a program to renovate and update the township's neighborhood parks and undertake capital projects while reducing the township's debt.

Ducey will face opposition from Brick Republican Club nominee Domenick Brando, a former councilman. The Brick Republican Club also has nominated Marilyn Lago, John Ciocco and Lois Turner as its council candidates.

Photos via Brick Township Municipal Facebook page