Monmouth Dems endorse Mallet and Mason for freeholder

Freeholder Barbara McMorrow, left, stands with fellow Democrats, candidates Amy Mallet and Glen Mason. 

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS - Monmouth County Democrats today backed Fair Haven businesswoman Amy Mallet and retired Hazlet police detective Glen Mason to run for two seats on the freeholder board.

Anxious for a majority after they picked up two seats in the last two years -- Republicans now have a 3-2 edge -- the Democrats unveiled Mallet and Mason as "change" candidates.

"We're one seat away from a majority," said Mallet. "With you're help, we are going for a super-majority."

The endorsements came without a floor fight at the party's convention at the Shore Casino in Atlantic Highlands after a third candidate, Middletown firefighter Leonard Inzerillo, removed his name from contention.

Inzerillo, a two-time loser in bids for the Assembly in 2003 and the state Senate last year, urged Democrats to get behind Mallet and Mason.

"Honestly, it's one of the hardest things I've ever done," Inzerrilo said of his decision to bow out of the race. "But there are times when you've got to step aide and let the system work. It's about everybody working together."

Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Victor Scudiery said Inzerillo and Mason, who had volunteered for each other on past campaigns, had worked out between the two of them who would run and who would fall on his sword. But Mason said Inzerillo's declaration at the convention that he wouldn't challenge came as a surprise to him on Saturday.

"I had no clue that this was going to happen," said Mason, who serves as president of the school board in Hazlet.

Although she lost in her 12th district run for the Assembly last year on a flatline ticket with Sen. Ellen Karcher and Assemblyman Michael Panter, Mallet stressed the postive from that experience, in which she knocked on 4,000 doors.

"One year ago I stood before you seeking your nomination for the Assembly," said the freeholder candidate. "And although the issues are not that different, this is going to be a winning year."

Mallet and Mason, who said they met each other for the first time only in the last 24 hours, will face Republican incumbent Freeholder Lillian G. Burry and her as yet undecided running mate. The Republicans are scheduled to have their convention on March 26.