Kiley, Scharfenberger Win Monmouth County Freeholder Race

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Republicans Gerry Scharfenberger and Sue Kiley won the two open seats on the Board of Monmouth County Chosen Freeholders, according to unofficial vote tallies from the Monmouth County clerk.

Incumbent Freeholder Scharfenberger was facing a challenge from Democrat Larry Luttrell, a Holmdel resident, for the one-year unexpired term. Scharfenberger was formerly a Middletown Township Committee member.

There were four candidates seeking the open three-year full-term seat. Incumbent Freeholder John Curley, an independent, tried to keep his seat, but he was being challenged by Republican and former Hazlet Mayor Kiley, Democrat Amber Gesslein of Eatontown and Libertarian Brendan Maroney of Aberdeen.

Curley's political career took a serious hit last year when he was accused of making crude and inappropriate sexual comments to women. Running without the support of either party, he only received 10,000 votes Tuesday.

The Asbury Park Press endorsed the Luttrell and Kiley for the two open seats.

Scharfenberger is widely expected to run for Assemblywoman Amy Handlin's seat, as she surprisingly announced earlier this year she would not be seeking re-election.

Pictured: The current Monmouth County Freeholder Board, with Scharfenberger and Curley from the left.