A foursome of candidates will vie for two open seats on the Brick Township Board of Education in this year’s general election, including two incumbents.
The Ocean County Clerk’s office released certified candidate lists on Thursday. School boards in New Jersey are technically non-partisan, however it is common for political parties to provide support for candidates or tickets in such races. Candidates, or groups of candidates, routinely run under various campaign slogans, or “banners” to theme their campaigns.
In Brick, incumbents Michael Blandina and Alison Kennedy, both tacitly aligned with the current board majority, are running for re-election under different banners. Blandina, a Democratic stalwart, will run under the “Brick First” banner. Kennedy, who gained a following through the PTA organization, is running under the “Children First, Always” banner.
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Their challengers are both political newcomers, Mike Mesmer and Gregory J. Cohen, both of whom are running under the “Our Children First” banner. They have received support from many in Republican circles in town.
Both available seats on the board are for three-year terms. School board elections coincide with the general election, to be held Nov. 7.