Election Day: Residents Cast Ballots

Voters will head to the polls today to decide the fate of various offices.

In Manasquan, a highly contested election season will end as voters decide on mayor and two seats on the borough council.

Incumbent mayor George Dempsey, a Democrat, hopes to be elected to his second term. Republican councilwoman Patricia Connolly will challenge him.

Current councilmen Jeff Lee, a Democrat, and Joseph Lucas, a Republican, will not seek reelection this year and four hopefuls, two from each party, will seek full terms on the governing body.

Republicans Pam Lewis and Richard Norris, two newcomers to Manasquan politics, are on the ballot. They will face two former councilmen, Democrats Joe Bossone and Mike Mangan.

Aside from the mayorship and council seats, majority control of the governing body will also be on the line. Currently, the borough council has a three to three balance of Republicans and Democrats. The power tends to swing towards the Democrats, since Dempsey, a Democrat, can vote to break ties.

Politics in town have grown contentious over the past several months as Election Day has drawn near. Republicans and Democrats have sparred frequently over various town-wide issues. .

In Belmar, one current councilwoman will seek to remain on the borough's governing body while two newcomers will face off for the seat of an incumbent who will not seek reelection.

Councilwoman Jennifer Nicolay, who was appointed earlier this year to fill the unexpired council term of Mayor Matt Doherty, will seek another turn on the governing body.

Nicolay will run alongside Connie Gutierrez, a Democrat and a newcomer to Belmar politics. Republican Jim Bean will also run. The two are running for the seat currently occupied by councilman Richard Wright. The Republican will not seek reelection.

At the state level, incumbent legislators in the state's 30th district will face off against challenges from Democrats and a Libertarian.

Kean, who currently represents the 11th district as a senator, will seek a run in the state assembly in the .

The Republicans will face a challenge in Steve Morlino for senate and Howard Kleinhendler and Shaun O'Rourke for Assembly.

Libertarian Party candidate and Belmar resident will also make an assembly run.

Republican incumbent Lillian Burry, Democratic incumbent Amy Mallet, independent candidate Thomas Markowski, Socialist Party candidate Patrick Noble, Republican Gary Rich and Democrat William Shea will all have places on the ballot.

Voters will also be asked to vote on a non-binding referendum regarding sports gambling. The measure asks voters to decide whether or not they would support legislation legalizing sports wagering at Atlantic City casinos and at horse racing tracks throughout the state.