Politics & Government

Former Neptune Mayor, Dem, Challenges Sue Kiley For County Seat

Mike Beson, a Democrat and the former mayor of Neptune, announced he will run for a seat on the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners.

Mike Beson, the former mayor of Neptune and a school board member there.
Mike Beson, the former mayor of Neptune and a school board member there. (Provided by the candidate)

LONG BRANCH, NJ — The former mayor of Neptune, a Democrat, announced he will run for a seat on the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners.

Mike Beson is running for the seat currently held by Sue Kiley, a Republican and the former mayor of Hazlet. Kiley's seat is the only Commissioner seat that is up for re-election this year and she will likely seek re-election. So far no other candidates have declared. The election will be in November.

The Monmouth County Board of Commissioners — which until 2020 was called the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders — has long been dominated by Republican one-party rule. Monmouth County is traditionally viewed as a Republican stronghold in New Jersey, but it is increasingly a battleground: In 2020, Trump barely eked out a win here, winning by only about 10,000 votes (191,808 for Trump; 181,291 for Biden). In Trenton, Democrats now represent New Jersey's 11th district (Monmouth towns like Long Branch, Eatontown, Freehold, Red Bank and Ocean).

Find out what's happening in Long Branch-Eatontownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Beson was previously the mayor of Neptune and a member of the Ocean Township Board of Education, both elected positions. He currently serves on the boards of several Monmouth County non-profits and owns a small business, a recruitment advertising firm called Guide Publications in Long Branch.

"The Board of Commissioners is severely lacking a diversity of ideas, and if the voters of Monmouth County choose to elect me, I will not only fight to lower property taxes, I will be a much-needed independent voice for all residents of Monmouth County,” Beson said in a statement announcing his candidacy.

Find out what's happening in Long Branch-Eatontownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"On April 7, 2020, during the height of the pandemic, the Board of Commissioners voted to give themselves a raise," he continued. "While thousands of Monmouth County residents were out of work and desperately calling the Department of Labor for their unemployment benefits, and in some cases grieving the loss of a loved one, the County Commissioners voted to give themselves a pay increase. At the same time, I was struggling to make payroll for my business."

"My opponent’s vote to raise her salary was completely out of touch with the needs of Monmouth County resident," Beson said, referring to Kiley. "I have worked in business and government for many years, and I am excited to bring my experience and unique perspective to the county."

Beson will seek the Monmouth County Democrats' party nomination at their March convention.

Related: Trump's Election Performance In Monmouth Worst For GOP Since 1996 (Dec. 11, 2020)

Be the first to know what's happening in your town. Sign up to get Patch emails and don't miss a minute of local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.