Crate, Catalano Set To Square Off In 2023 Brick Mayoral Race

BRICK, NJ — The Brick Township election season will be moving into full swing, now that the 2023 primary election is over and the Democratic and Republican nominees for mayor and council have been firmed up.

The 2023 election is a pivotal campaign, as the Republicans look to take control of the mayor's office and the Township Council for the first time since 2014, while the Democrats seek to continue their control.

It's a contest that has arisen because Democrat John Ducey, who had been popular with Brick residents across the spectrum and easily won re-election in 2021 to his third term, in February resigned to accept an appointment as a Superior Court judge.

There are two years remaining on Ducey's mayoral term. In addition, there are four full terms up for election on the council.

The Republicans are hoping their ticket, led by Assemblyman John Catalano, will be able to unseat the Democrats, led by Mayor Lisa Crate, who was appointed in February to replace Ducey.

Catalano, who won election to the Assembly in 2021, is stepping down from the state Legislature to run for mayor. He received 2,334 votes in Tuesday's Republican primary, according to unofficial tallies.

His council slate is Mary Jonas Buckley, who ran for council in 2021; Teresa Gallagher, who unsuccessfully challenged Ducey in 2021; and newcomers James Palmisano and Rocco Palmieri. Buckley, who was narrowly edged out by Democrats Heather deJong and Marianna Pontoriero in 2021, received 2,214 votes in Tuesday's primary. Gallagher received 2,251 votes, Palmisano 2,245 and Palmieri 2,235.

Crate, who was completing her second term on the council when she was appointed mayor, received 1,605 votes, according to Tuesday's unofficial results. She is joined by Councilman Vince Minichino, who received 1,542 votes; Councilman Derrick Ambrosino, who received 1,530 votes; Councilwoman Melissa Travers, who received 1,573, and newcomer Steve Feinman, who received 1,515. Travers was appointed to the council in February to fill the final months of Crate's term.

Crate and the Democrats are campaigning on continuing the policies and progress that made Ducey popular with residents. The final renovation of the township's neighborhood parks has gotten underway in Cedar Bridge Manor, and another round of summer activities is on tap, including the tremendously popular SummerFest concert series.

Ducey also cut the township's debt load, limiting bonding for new work while retiring more debt than the town took on.

The Republicans will be looking for ways to pick apart the Democrats' successes, with taxes always being a favored focus, though Ducey had repeatedly draw comparisons between his administration and that of his predecessor, Steve Acropolis, whom Ducey said raised taxes by double-digit figures over a short time in office.