Vitale Facing Barrella In Point Pleasant Beach Mayor's Race

POINT PLEASANT BEACH, NJ — The Republican primary on Tuesday was seen as deciding the next mayor of Point Pleasant Beach.

Douglas Vitale secured the nomination, defeating former Mayor Stephen D. Reid and Councilwoman Arlene Testa by a wide margin, according to the unofficial tallies, and there were no Democrats who had filed to run.

It won't be so simple after all, however; former mayor Vince Barrella filed a petition to run as an independent in November's general election.

Vitale received 526 votes, according to Tuesday's unofficial tallies. Testa received 331 and Reid 326, according to the tallies, which become official later this month after they are certified by Ocean County election officials.

Barrella served as mayor for eight years before stepping down in 2015. He was succeeded by Reid, who was defeated by Paul Kanitra in the 2019 GOP primary. Kanitra is running for Assembly this year.