TOMS RIVER – Former Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato received the Toms River Republican Club endorsement to run for mayor Thursday night.
He told another local media outlet that he’s “overwhelmed and thrilled to be nominated. I’m humbled by it. But I know I have a long road ahead of me.”
In addition to Coronato, the club had screened Virgil Demario, Kevin Geoghegan, Maurice Hill and Daniel Rodrick.
Coronato received that club’s screening committee endorsement earlier in a 10-9 vote, but some members wanted a vote from the full club.
Republican incumbent Thomas Kelaher decided against seeking another term.
Coronato will likely face challenges to that nomination by Hill and Rodrick, both Toms River Councilmen.
The Toms River Democratic Organization has endorsed Jonathan Z. Petro as the Democratic candidate for the 2019 mayoral election.
