GOP Picks Coronato To Run For Toms River Mayor: Report

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Former Ocean County prosecutor Joseph Coronato is seeking the Republican nomination for mayor of Toms River in the June 2019 primary election, according to a report.

Coronato was chosen over Republican councilmen Maurice "Mo" Hill and Daniel Rodrick, the New Jersey Globe reported. The Globe also reported that current Toms River Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher is not seeking re-election, and that Hill, Brian Kubiel and Council President George Wittmann are not seeking re-election to their council seats.

Speculation has been rampant for weeks over whether Kelaher, 86, would seek a fourth term as mayor. Equally rampant have been questions about who might replace him. Hill and Rodrick both had spoken about running.

The Toms River Republican Club screened the candidates over the weekend and chose Coronato, the report said, and it noted Coronato has the support of Ocean County Republican Party Chairman George Gilmore.

The moves come at an interesting time for both men. Coronato has been accused of ignoring potentially criminal behavior by John Brogan, who was closely involved with Coronato's efforts to get heroin addicts into drug treatment and recovery programs. Coronato has rejected the claims by former assistant prosecutor Michel Paulhus, and has said they were made as Paulhus sought to retaliate for being fired from his job in the prosecutor's office. Paulhus recently filed a lawsuit reiterating his claims about Brogan, the Asbury Park Press reported.

Gilmore, meanwhile, has been indicted on tax evasion charges, with the federal government alleging he owes more than $1 million in unpaid taxes. Jersey Shore Online reported his federal trial has been set for March 29 in Trenton. What will happen if Gilmore is convicted is anyone's guess.

Note: This article has been updated to correct Thomas Kelaher's middle initial. Patch regrets the error.

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