Meet The 2 Republicans Running For Middletown Township Committee

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — There will be an election Nov. 3 for Middletown Township Committee.

There are two seats up for election on the Township Committee: Longtime Middletown Committeeman Ryan Clarke (Republican) asks voters to re-elect him for a third term (he's been on the committee since 2020). And Morganne Dudzinski is the second Republican running.

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Here is a brief bio about Clarke:

I am a lifelong resident of Middletown with deep family roots in the community. I bring more than three decades of dedicated volunteer service, including five years serving as chief of the all-volunteer Middletown Township Fire Department (he was chief from 2014-2018).

I have also proudly served for more than five years as a member of the Middletown Township Committee, where I remain focused on supporting public safety, strengthening local infrastructure and preserving the quality of life for our residents. (He first joined the Township Committee in 2020, and was re-elected to a second term in 2023. He now seeks his third term.)

As both a professional and civic leader, I combine hands-on experience with a practical, solutions-driven approach to government and community service. Above all, I am a devoted husband and father who takes great pride in giving back to the community I have always called home. (Clarke has two children; one child at Middletown North and the other at Saint Mary's Catholic grade school in Belford. He and his wife live in the Chapel Hill section of Middletown.)

Clarke was raised in Middletown and graduated from Middletown High School South. He's been an active member of the Lincroft Volunteer Fire Company since 1997. He's currently on the Board of Trustees for the Lincroft Senior Housing Corporation and the Lin-Mid Board, which oversees operation of Luftman Towers and the Pavilion.

He works for a commercial lighting company.

"As a current member of the Township Committee, I've focused on making Middletown a better place to live by balancing fiscal responsibility with meaningful investments in our community," said Clarke.

First and foremost, I've worked to keep our municipal taxes as low as possible despite increasing pressure from unfunded mandates coming out of Trenton. At the same time, we've taken proactive steps to strengthen our financial position by entering into shared services agreements with surrounding towns — creating new opportunities for revenue while improving efficiency.

We've also made significant strides in preserving what makes Middletown special. In partnership with Monmouth County, we've preserved over 100 acres of open space. By partnering with the county, Middletown's financial responsibilities on the acquisitions have been offset by a full 75 percent. This not only protects our community's character, but also helps control long-term costs.

Investing back into our community has been another key priority. We've made meaningful upgrades to multiple parks across town, ensuring our residents have safe, modern spaces to enjoy. Through our Parks and Recreation Department, we've also expanded and supported a wide range of camp programs that benefit families throughout Middletown.

Public safety remains a cornerstone of everything we do. I have consistently supported our Police, Fire, EMS, and OEM — ensuring they have the resources they need to protect our residents and respond effectively in any situation.

Overall, my reasons for running for re-election are simple: protect taxpayers, invest in our community, and preserve the quality of life that makes Middletown such a great place to call home.

And Dudzinski:

She and her husband live in Middletown, where they are raising three children, one enrolled in Middletown public schools and the other two are ages 3 and 1. Dudzinski used to work as the director of constituent affairs for former state Sen. Jen Beck, a Republican lawmaker who represented Monmouth County in the Statehouse from 2012 to 2018. (State Sen. Vin Gopal beat Beck in the 2017 election and now holds that seat.)

Dudzinski is currently a commissioner on the Middletown Housing Authority and is a government affairs community advisor for 180 Turning Lives Around. She currently works as the associate director at the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities, where she advocates for the state's senior public colleges. She is a former Division I student-athlete at Monmouth University.

Dudzinski says:

"My priorities for Middletown are shaped by both my professional experience in public policy and my day-to-day life as a mom raising three young children here.

Through my work in government — including serving for former Republican state Senator Jennifer Beck — I've gained firsthand experience navigating complex policy issues, working with residents and advancing practical solutions focused on fiscal responsibility, affordability and government accountability.

Senator Beck was a strong advocate for protecting taxpayers, controlling property taxes, and promoting responsible government spending, and those same principles continue to guide my approach to public service today. My experience has given me the knowledge and ability to deliver results and apply those skills at the local level to help keep Middletown moving in the right direction. Like so many families, my husband and I are deeply invested in making sure Middletown remains a safe, affordable, and welcoming place to raise a family and build a future.

One of my top priorities is protecting taxpayers and making sure we continue to use taxpayer dollars wisely and responsibly. Families are feeling the pressure of rising costs in every part of their lives, and local government has a responsibility to be disciplined, efficient and focused on delivering real value for residents. Middletown has earned a reputation throughout New Jersey as one of the best-run communities in the state, and I believe it is critical that we continue that legacy through smart budgeting, careful planning, and a commitment to keeping municipal taxes under control while maintaining the high-quality services residents expect.

I also want to stay focused on the local issues that matter most to Middletown residents. People care about safe neighborhoods, reliable infrastructure, responsive public safety services, well-maintained parks, and preserving the character of our community. These are not partisan issues — they are quality-of-life issues that directly impact families every single day.

Preserving what makes Middletown special is incredibly important to me. Our neighborhoods, parks, small businesses, and strong sense of community are part of what makes this town such a desirable place to live. As Middletown continues to grow and evolve, we need thoughtful leadership that plans responsibly for the future while protecting the character of our town.

Strong municipal services are also essential to maintaining our quality of life. From public safety and road improvements to recreation programs and community resources, residents deserve a local government that is responsive, effective, and accountable. Families rely on these services every day, and making sure they remain strong and dependable will always be a priority for me.

At the end of the day, my experience in public policy, combined with my perspective as a mother raising a young family in Middletown, keeps me grounded in what truly matters to residents. I'm committed to practical, balanced leadership that focuses on local priorities, protects taxpayers, preserves our community, and ensures Middletown continues to be a place we are proud to call home."

Clarke and Dudzinski are allies of Middletown Mayor Tony Perry, a Republican, who is running for county commissioner this year. (Perry will have to resign as Middletown mayor if he is elected county commissioner.)

The two Democrats running for the seats are Shawn Wallach and Jeremy Seideman.

Democrat Shawn Wallach Re-Introduces Himself To Middletown Voters (Oct. 9)

Democrat Jeremy Seideman On Why He's Running Again For Middletown Township Committee (Oct. 12)

Election Day is Nov. 3. Early, in-person voting runs Oct. 24 - Nov. 1; early voting can be done in Middletown at Croydon Hall, 900 Leonardville Road, Leonardo, NJ 07737. Vote-by-mail ballots have been mailed out to homes.