Paul Buccellato

In Monmouth County, every town comes intriguingly into play on some level, several more critically than others.

Republicans have owned the Freeholder Board for over 20 years, but in the last two elections Democrats picked up two seats to bring them to within one of county control.

A profusion of newly registered Democratic voters have boosted the party’s confidence heading into Nov. 4th, and now Democrats Amy Mallet and Glenn Mason are ready for that 11th hour jolt of cash from the Democratic State Committee.

State Party Chairman Joseph Cryan wants to win here.

He wants it more than he would like to pick up additional warm bodies in the Assembly next year, where his party’s already built a comfortable majority.

A victory by either Mallet or Mason would make a Democratic Party statement.  But neither is a name candidate running against incumbent Freeholder Director Lillian Burry and auto dealer vice president John Curley, an intensely focused campaigner who served as a Red Bank Councilman and has close political connections to state Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth).

Republican Councilman Paul Buccellato defeated Democratic Mayor Mary Aufseeser in a special election in Matawan on Tuesday.

Running again after their initial showdown last November resulted in a tie, Buccellato won with 51.15% of the vote to Aufseeser's 48.70%, according to unofficial results filed with the Monmouth County Clerk's Office Tuesday night.

Thirty-eight percent, or 2,039 residents, participated in Tuesday's special election, according to the clerk's office.

It’s almost three weeks until New Jersey’s presidential primary, but the campaign signs all over Matawan reflect more local concerns. The Monmouth County transit hub and home to 9,000 residents will hold its special election for mayor this Tuesday, Jan. 15th.

A showdown last November between incumbent Mayor Mary Aufseeser, a Democrat, and Councilman Paul Buccellato, a Republican, resulted in a tie, with each candidate receiving 947 votes.