Democrat Quits Mayoral Race In Toms River

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Toms River Democratic Committee is set to choose a new candidate to run for mayor, after John Furey informed the club he was resigning from his candidacy for the seat.

An email circulated to club members and confirmed by Laurie Huryk, an officer with the club, said a meeting will be held Friday to choose a replacement for Furey, who was slated to run against Republican Daniel Rodrick in November.

Rodrick defeated incumbent Mayor Maurice "Mo" Hill in the GOP primary in June, and speculation has been rampant that Furey would be replaced at the head of the Democratic ticket as a result.

Furey has not responded to Patch requests for biographical information.

Furey received 2,257 votes in the uncontested Democratic primary. There are 15,693 voters in Toms River who are registered Democrats.

Rodrick received 4,710 votes in the Republican primary; there are 27,248 registered Republican voters, and 10,230 voted in the primary.

Toms River has 70,654 registered voters total.

Immediately after Rodrick won the GOP primary, there were calls for Furey to step down as the Democrats' candidate, and public campaigns urging other Democrats to step into the fray.

Terrence Turnbach, who served on the council for four years, and Jonathan Petro, who ran against Hill in 2019 and lost that election by 243 votes, 11,363 to 11,120, both have been mentioned. Turnbach threw support to Petro in public Facebook post in the days immediately following the June primaries.

Rodrick, in his council comments at the June 14 Township Council meeting, responded to those discussions saying, "I know it's going to be a challenge to unite this Republican Party in Toms River."

"We are willing to accept the help and support of any individual from either club," Rodrick said, "but if there are Republicans out there who believe that they're going to secretly support the Democrats this year they should know the Democrats will lose, and we will know about it, and you will not be welcomed back into the fold when it is over."

Councilman David Ciccozzi criticized Rodrick in his comments that night, calling Rodrick's comments a threat and saying he would not support Rodrick.

In addition to Furey, the Toms River Democratic Committee will be choosing a replacement for council candidate Kajal Lal, who accepted a job working for the federal government and has dropped out of the council race, according to a Jersey Shore Online report.

The remaining candidates on the Democratic ticket for three Toms River council seats are Michele Williams, who serves on the Toms River Regional Board of Education, and Rhetta Jackson-Fair.