Andrea Zapcic and Domenick Brando (Photos: File)
Andrea Zapcic has defeated former Brick councilman Domenick Brando in her bid to remain on the township’s governing body. Meanwhile, a surprise upset in the school board election has resulted in John Barton, who effectively did not run a campaign this year, beating incumbent board member Larry Reid. Current board president Sharon Cantillo retained her seat and won with a commanding victory.
The final vote tally in Brick saw Zapcic besting Brando by 1,489 votes. But the school board election produced the night’s biggest surprise, with John Barton, a oft-candidate who has never before scored a victory, beating incumbent Larry Reid by 842 votes to win a seat on the board. Reid, who has served one term on the board, garnered the fewest votes of any candidate, while his running mate, Cantillo, received the most votes of any candidate with 7,028.
With Zapcic’s victory, the municipal governing body will remain under a 7-0 Democratic control. Zapcic said the council in the next year will be focused on Sandy relief (“getting people back in their homes”) and improving government efficiency.
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“My feeling is that people want to keep moving in the direction we’ve been moving in,” said Zapcic. “I’m driven by the desire to serve.”
As for her victory, Zapcic said her time on council as an appointed member, combined with her previous stint as the township’s recreation director and with B-MAC drove much of her support.
“A lot of people knew me from the rec department, BMAC and a lot of those relationships helped me,” she said.
Brando had sought to reclaim a seat – he lost in last year’s council election – while Zapcic will now serve a one-year term (the seat vacated by Mayor John Ducey) and will have to run again next year if she wishes to stay on the council. Barton and Cantillo will each serve three year terms on the school board.
Brando could not be immediately reached for comment.
Final Vote Tally:
Brick Township Council
Domenick Brando (R): 7,671
*Andrea Zapcic (D): 9,160
Brick Township Board of Education
*Sharon Cantillo: 7,028
Larry Reid: 3,798
*John Barton: 4,640
David Fischer: 4,489
