At 97, Nation's Oldest Mayor Re-Elected In Tinton Falls

TINTON FALLS, NJ — The mayor of Tinton Falls, Vito Perillo, was re-elected to his second term Tuesday at the ripe old age of 97.

Perillo has been deemed by the media as the nation's oldest mayor and indeed, it does not seem there is anyone older than him.

Perillo is a Democrat.

As we reported four years ago, Perillo first ran for mayor at the young age of 93. It was his first entry into politics ever and he beat out sitting Tinton Falls Mayor Gerald Turning, who was the town's administrator and police chief before that.

"I wanted to run because I was upset with some of the things this administration is doing," said Perillo at the time, according to the Asbury Park Press.

Perillo said he ran for office because he was upset about how Tinton Falls was being run, including a pair of whistle-blower lawsuits involving the police department that cost the borough $1.1 million to settle.

Perillo said he wore out two pairs of shoes walking to every house in town and asking for their vote.

Perillo will turn 100 on Sept. 22, 2024, in the third year of his new term, according to NJ.com. He told the media outlet he does not plan to seek a third term.

“I’ve got to have some time to myself," he told NJ.com.

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