Brick Mayor's Race 2017: Ebert Challenges Party Pick Brando In GOP Primary

BRICK, NJ — The Brick Township mayoral contest will now include a primary fight for the top of the Republican ticket.

Martin Ebert, who ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Township Council in 2015, announced he will seek the Republican primary nomination for mayor, challenging Domenick Brando, who was chosen by the Brick Republican Club as its candidate earlier this month.

In a Facebook post announcing his candidacy, Ebert said he had decided to run because "Conservative Republicans and President Trump supporters need a voice in this town and I intend to be that voice,"

"No more 'politics as usual,' " Ebert said. The current Democrat administration is controlled by by the Newark/Camden party bosses. They call the shots here in town. The local Republican organization has chosen a former township councilman as their standard bearer. The party faithful will decide who will represent us against the shameful machine politicians that have bankrupted our state and soon our town."

In an email, Ebert said that after living in Brick for more than 30 years and raising his family in the township, he feels the township is at a crossroads.

"Do we continue down the path that leads to the same destination as the decaying urban centers controlled by the state Democrat Party?" Ebert said. "Remember, Camden, Irvington and Jersey City were once beautiful towns. Do we choose the path that zigzags back and forth between the same recurring cast of characters? The road fraught with dark corners and backroom whispering? Or, do we choose a new direction, in the light of day with open eyes and clear minds and generous hearts where honesty is the order of the day and government truly works for the people?"

Seeing the victory by President Donald Trump in the 2016 election was encouraging to him, Ebert said.

"A plain spoken, successful business owner stepping into politics and overriding the entrenched establishment politicians. It was a game changer and I think it’s Brick Township’s time to clean house as well," said Ebert, who has been the owner and operator of NJ Archangel Corp., a summons and subpoena serving company, for 25 years.

Ebert said his platform includes the following:

• If elected, I will not participate in the Cadillac health benefits plan that other elected officials take advantage of.
• I will freeze municipal purpose property taxes for my first 4 year term. I will release my detailed plan sometime in mid-May.
• I will increase the actual number of police officers by 25 percent, putting more cops on the street to make Brick safe again.
• I will freeze discretionary spending at town hall and get rid of excessive fat in the budget.

Ebert said he would release more information in the coming weeks on his campaign website www.makebrickgreatagain.com.

"Working together with any and all concerned citizens of Brick, regardless of previous political affiliation, is the first and most crucial step to make Brick great again," Ebert said.

Photo provided by Martin Ebert