Republicans Win Middletown Township Committee Race

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — The Republican incumbents are the projected winners in the Middletown Township Committee race.

With 45 out of the 46 Middletown voting districts reporting, Democratic candidates Sean Byrnes and Jeana Sager are lagging far behind Republican incumbents Kevin Settembrino and Rick Hibell.

Kevin Settembrino (projected winner): 7,884

Hibell (projected winner): 7,765

Sean Byrnes: 4,726

Jean Sager: 4,031

These results will remain unofficial until certified by the county clerk. Mail-in ballots will be counted Wednesday.

But fellow Republican and Mayor Tony Perry took to Facebook to congratulate the two, saying "Congratulations to my colleagues, Rick Hibell and Kevin Settembrino for their resounding victory tonight. The people of Middletown have sent a clear message by supporting the only two candidates committed to keeping Middletown a great place to live and raise a family. Could not be more proud of these incredible public servants."

The Democrats criticized current Republicans for overdevelopment in Middletown, among other issues. However, they took a major publicity hit earlier this fall, when this video surfaced of Sager making controversial comments about police officers. In the video conversation, which Sager was having with supporters of medical marijuana and marijuana legalization, she said "What constitutes a criminal? To me, a lot of police are criminals."

The backlash against her was swift, even from within her own party, and her comments prompted running mate Byrnes to announce he was no longer running with her. The Middletown and Monmouth County Democratic party also denounced her, and said they would not be funding her campaign. Sager stayed in the race.

Other race outcomes Tuesday night:

Monmouth County Sheriff: Monmouth County Republican party boss Shaun Golden is the projected winner for his fourth term as county sheriff. He was challenged by Democrat Raymond Dothard, a Millstone resident and veteran of the U.S. Navy.

• Golden (projected winner): 71,059 votes
• Dothard: 46,726 votes

Golden made statewide headlines this year for defying the Murphy administration and continuing to work with ICE in the Monmouth County jail. Read: Monmouth County Sheriff Defies Murphy's Order On ICE Cooperation

Monmouth County Freeholder: The Republicans are Freeholder Tom Arnone (incumbent) and Wall Township Committeeman Nick DiRocco. The Democrats are Moira Nelson and Michael Penna. At issue is odor from the Monmouth County landfill in Tinton Falls and whether the Monmouth County jail should continue to work with ICE.

• Arnone (projected winner): 68,877 votes
• DiRocco (projected winner): 63,960 votes
• Penna: 49,167 votes
• Nelson: 48,739