MANALAPAN – Republican incumbent Mary Ann Musich and Republican newcomer Eric Nelson each a won three-year term on the Township Committee in the Nov. 5 election in Manalapan.
In 2020, Republicans will continue to hold all five seats on the governing body. Musich and Nelson will join Susan Cohen, Jack McNaboe and Barry Jacobson on the governing body.
Musich and Nelson defeated Democrats Amelia Rendeiro and Kathleen Williams in the race for two seats on the committee.
According to election results posted by the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office, Musich (4,222 votes) and Nelson (4,003 votes) outpolled Williams (2,797 votes) and Rendeiro (2,617 votes).
The results are unofficial and do not include late mail-in ballots or provisional ballots that were cast on Election Day. The results will become official upon certification from the county.
Musich has lived in Manalapan for 35 years. She is retired from her position as the administrator for the East Brunswick Sewerage Authority. Musich said that during her tenure on the Township Committee, officials have maintained a stable budget while providing the services residents expect and desire.
Nelson is president of the Gordons Corner Fire Company and has been a member of the fire company for 15 years. He is a retired Woodbridge police sergeant who now works as the general manager of a traffic control service company. Nelson serves on the Manalapan Zoning Board of Adjustment.
During the campaign, Nelson said he would use his experience “to enhance the quality of life for residents by improving township facilitates and services, all while keeping taxes as stable as possible.”
Rendeiro, who moved to Manalapan from Kearny four years ago, was making her second bid for election to the governing body, having previously sought office in 2017. She is an appointed member of the Manalapan Arts Council and the Manalapan Utilities Commission.
Williams has lived in Manalapan for 16 years and was making her first bid for a seat on the Township Committee. She said “making Manalapan affordable for all of our families” was the driving force behind her candidacy.
Following the election, Glen Mendez, the chairman of the Manalapan Republican Party, said, “First, a thank you to residents for getting out to vote and an even bigger thank you for having the faith in the team of Mary Ann Musich and Eric Nelson.
“The voters saw their records of totally engaged involvement in all areas of Manalapan government and civic endeavors and that is what led us to victory.
“The team of Mayor Susan Cohen, Deputy Mayor Jack McNaboe and committee members Mary Ann Musich, Kevin Uniglicht and Barry Jacobson have worked very hard to deliver a balanced and responsible budget year after year along while keeping services at their highest possible level.
“While we are sad to see Committeeman Uniglicht leave us, the addition of Eric Nelson is the perfect complement to make up for it and keep our township a ‘great place to live.’
“We want to thank Ms. Williams and Ms. Rendeiro for their efforts and wish them well. Congratulations also go to former committeeman David Kane on his election to the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education and to Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, Freeholder Director Tom Arnone and state assemblymen Ron Dancer and Robert Clifton on their re-election, and to Nick DiRocco on his first-time victory running for a freeholder seat,” Mendez said.
