Sturdivant, Triggiano On November’s Red Bank Council Ballot

RED BANK, NJ - One incumbent and one newcomer have secured spots on November’s ballot for Red Bank Borough Council, according to official results from the Monmouth County Clerk's Office.

During this month’s primary election on June 8, five candidates campaigned for two coveted three-year term spots this year: Kate L. Triggiano and Hazim Yassin, both who currently serve on the seven-member council, ran for re-election. The two other Democrats who filed are Bruce Maida and Jacqueline Sturdivant.

Republican candidates Jonathan Maciel Penney and Christine Stout serve as two "placeholder" candidates, according to Red Bank Green.
Incumbents Triggiano and Yassin, who campaigned together, were endorsed by fellow Democrats Mayor Pat Menna, Councilwoman Kathy Horgan, and Councilman Erik Yngstrom, state Sen. Vin Gopal, and Gov. Phil Murphy, while Sturdivant and Maida received backing from councilman Ed Zipprich.

Here are the final tallies:

MAIDA: 490
TRIGGIANO: 576
STURDIVANT: 537
YASSIN: 524

PENNEY: 265
STOUT:264

Earlier this year, Triggiano, Yassin and fellow council members Kathy Horgan and Erik Yngstrom "joined with Mayor Pasquale Menna in calling for a change to Red Bank's form of government," according to a statement initially posted by Red Bank Green. The self-proclaimed "majority" Democrats have butted heads with Zipprich and councilman Michael Ballard over issues like the Red Bank senior center, spending, the borough redevelopment agency and more, according to the publication.

Sturdivant is a 20-year Red Bank resident who serves as the vice president of the Board for the Courtyard of Red Bank Association and is a supporter of the T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center, according to a press release posted by TAPInto Red Bank. She is employed in the business sector as a global corporate strategy and leadership development executive.

“I appreciate the support shown to me by so many residents.” Sturdivant said in a statement. “Bruce and I had a solid platform that resonated with the community and I plan to continue to engage with residents on issues that matter to them during the Fall campaign.”

“Thanks to all the Red Bank voters whose support and encouragement buoyed our campaign for the past 3 months,” Maida added. “I thank everyone who voted for the Red Bank Democratic nominees for Borough Council, and especially, Jacqueline Sturdivant. She will be an amazing public servant.”

Triggiano is a School of Visual Arts graduate and has been a councilwoman in Red Bank since January 2019, according to LinkedIn. She currently serves on the Finance & Personnel, Public Safety, Police & Fire and Parks & Recreation committees.

"These are two extraordinary leaders I have gotten to know over the past number of years," Gov. Phil Murphy said at a virtual event hosted by the Monmouth County Democrats in February. "You're outstanding Democrats and you do what the residents need you to do which is to make government work for them, especially for those who have nowhere else to turn, and that's the most compelling reason they deserve to win re-election."

"I look forward to continuing conversations, I look forward to helping Ms. Sturdivant with any questions she has about my council experience, about the issues in the town and the best ways to move forward,” Triggiano said in a Facebook video statement once the results were certified. “On to November.”