Perry, Snell, Hibell Win Middletown Township Committee Race

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Yet again, Democrats were simply unable to gain a foothold on the Middletown Township Committee, historically controlled by Republican representatives. That proved to be no different today.

By 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, one hundred percent of the voting precincts in Middletown had turned in their votes, and Republicans Tony Perry, Rick Hibell and Pat Snell came out the winners, according to the Monmouth County clerk.

Those three incumbent Township Committee members were facing a possible major shake-up by the challenging Democratic slate of Tricia Maguire, Sean Byrnes and Danielle Walsh. Walsh is also currently a member of the Middletown Board of Education.

Race results: (Note: These are the unofficial final tallies.)

Perry beat Maguire, receiving 13,722 votes to her 11,312

Snell beat Byrnes, receiving 13,805 votes to his 11,198

And Hibell beat Walsh, receiving 13,827 votes to her 11,152.

The three-person Republican ticket was running to keep their seats on the Township Committee, positions none of them were actually elected to. Snell was appointed to fill former mayor Stephanie Murray's spot when she abruptly resigned earlier this year; Hibell was appointed to Gerry Scharfenberger's seat when he became a Monmouth County freeholder and Scharfenberg's son-in-law Perry was appointed to replace Stephen Massell after he was named to Monmouth County Tax Board.

This has been an interesting election season in Middletown, to say the least: First, the Township's entire email address book was used for a potentially illegal campaign mailing, which has been linked back to Perry, who is fighting today to keep his seat. Then, a local Democratic operative — and retired Middletown police officer! — was arrested Oct. 15 for tearing down "hundreds" of Republican party signs. Irvin Beaver, 73, is also a Monmouth County Democratic Committeeman.

There are five members total on the Middletown Township Committee; Committeeman Tony Fiore and Kevin Settembrino, who were not up for re-election today, are Republican as well.

Related: Middletown Gives Up All Residents' Email Accounts In OPRA Request

Retired Middletown Cop Stole Political Campaign Signs, Police Say