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Politics & Government

Manahawkin Elections Update: Write-In Candidates for Mayor, Council

Two independents will challenge current Republican mayor, along with a Democratic candidate.

After in Manahawkin, the general election is turning into even more of a contest than anticipated, as several write-in candidates for mayor and council tossed their hats in the ring yesterday.

According to the Ocean County Clerk's office, Paul Marchal of Jennifer Lane in Manahawkin and Thomas J Litwin will compete with current mayor John Spodofora, a  Republican, and his Democratic opponent Joseph Rua for the mayoral seat in Stafford in November.

Four other township council write-ins will face incumbents William Stephen Fessler, Henry Mancini and Robert Kusznikow and newcomers Sharon McKenna, Lori Wyrsch and Paul Krier, all Republicans, running on the same team, who were already on the ballot.

Find out what's happening in Barnegat-Manahawkinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The new candidates, running together under the banner "We Are Stafford" along with Paul Marchal for mayor, are:  

  • Joanne Sitek of David Drive 
  • David J. Taylor of Coral Lane
  • Esther M. Libenschek of Topsail Lane
  • Ben H. Pieper of Atlantis Avenue
  • Christopher J McManus of Leeward Road
  • Brian White of Atlantis Avenue

The candidates list is unofficial, as names can be challenged for four days after the filing deadline, which was at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Find out what's happening in Barnegat-Manahawkinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In Barnegat, where Mayor Al Cirulli running with Township Committeman Jeffrey Melchiondo will face newcomer Democrats Elaine Tayor and Susan Conway in November, there were no write-in candidates so far.

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