BERKELEY, NJ — Republicans will keep control of Berkeley Township after handily winning Tuesday’s election, according to unofficial results from the Ocean County Clerk’s Office.
John Bacchione, currently president of the Berkeley Township Council, has been elected mayor after winning 74.62 percent of the vote, according to the unofficial numbers.
Bacchione announced his bid for mayor after current Mayor Carmen Amato announced that he would be running for the open State Senate seat in the 9th Legislative District after Sen. Christopher Connors announced his retirement at the beginning of 2023. Unofficial results show that Amato has won the State Senate seat, joined by Rep. Brian Rumpf and Stafford Mayor Greg Myrhe in the General Assembly.
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As mayor, Bacchione has promised to continue Amato’s work. He previously told Patch that his goals are to continue fighting the de-annexation of South Seaside Park and to keep preserving open space in the township. Another focus of his is the redevelopment of the Town Center, better known as the former Beachwood Plaza. You can read more about Bacchione’s goals in his candidate profile.
Both councilmen L. Thomas Grosse and Keith Buscio were reelected, with Bacchione’s empty council seat to be filled by Doug Bowens, according to the numbers.
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Bowens comes to the council from the Berkeley Township Board of Education, where he said he helped the district apply for grants like the Preschool Expansion Program and other grants to update school buildings as chair of the Building and Grounds Committee.
As for the Board of Education itself, Jennifer Bacchione, Dave Ytreboe and Thomas Guarascio won reelection, as they were running unopposed.
Here are the latest unofficial numbers from the clerk, last updated 11:05 a.m. on Nov. 8. Note that these numbers will remain unofficial until certified by the clerk
Mayor
Township Council
Berkeley Township Board of Education
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