So Far, Democrats Outspending Republicans in Brick Council Race

Campaign signs for the Democratic (left) and Republican candidates in Brick, 2015. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

In a reversal from the last major Brick Township township council race, Democrats have thus far outspent their Republican opponents this election season.

In filing with the state Election Law Enforcement Commission, the slate of Democratic candidates reported spending $40,149 so far this election cycle compared to the Republicans’ $28,940.

The filings similarly show that the Democratic ticket – billed as the “Ducey Team for Brick” – has out-fundraised the Republican ticket, known as “Team Brick Township.” Democrats have raised $95,498, including dispersals from individual candidate election funds, while the Republicans have raised $42,444. Likewise, the Democratic ticket has been more successful in attracting small donors – those who contribute $300 or less to a campaign – by raising $12,034 in the manner. The Republicans, in a report before the commission filed the same date, raised $100 in the same way.

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Businesses, PACs Contribute

The largest donations to each campaign this year have come from political action committees, known as PACs. Democrats received $6,000 from the Howell-based Central Jersey Working Families PAC and $5,000 from the Shore Democrat Finance PAC. The Democrats also received a $1,000 contribution from attorney Charles D. Bauer, $1,000 from engineering firm Adams Rehmann and Heggan and $1,500 from Richard Maser of engineering firm Maser Consulting.

The Republicans’ two large donations include $2,500 influx from the We Care About NJ PAC – a committee run by former Monmouth County Clerk M. Claire French – and Holzapfel for Senate, which donated $5,000.

Financial Reversal

In the last several election cycles, the Republican candidates have been at the top of the financial heap in both campaign donations and expenditures.

In 2013, Republican candidates had amassed a war chest of $240,528 and spent the same amount, according to state filings. That same year, Democrats raised $152,836 and spent $152,536, the filings said. Democrats swept the 2013 election. In 2014, a more low-key race between Republican Domenick Brando and Democrat Andrea Zapcic resulted in a Zapcic victory.

This year, Republicans Frank Pannucci Jr., Michael Conti, Martin Ebert and Charles Bacon are attempting to re-establish a GOP majority on the current all-Democrat governing body. Incumbents Zapcic and Jim Fozman are running alongside planning board member Arthur Halloran and newcomer Lisa Crate to maintain their party’s majority.