Madeline Colagiovanni Iannarone
Brick Township’s Republican organization has thrown its support behind a Board of Education member to run for mayor next year in an attempt to regain control of the township’s highest office for the first time in more than a decade.
Madeline Colagiovanni Iannarone received the party’s endorsement to challenge incumbent Mayor Lisa Crate. Iannarone will first be required to win the party’s June primary, though support from the local party organization is often a key factor. Candidates in partisan elections have until March 24 to submit nominating petitions to run.
Iannarone is currently serving as school board president, and is a past member of the Zoning Board, as well as a commissioner of the Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority. In a statement from the party, Iannarone was described as “a dedicated public servant with deep roots in the community.”
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“For too long, we have seen out-of-control spending, reckless overdevelopment, and a lack of transparency in local government,” Iannarone said. “That stops now. As Mayor, I will ensure that every dollar is spent wisely, that our town prioritizes responsible development over unchecked expansion, and that we restore trust in government. I will fight for every resident—Republican, Independent, or Democrat—because this campaign is for all of Brick Township. It’s time to put Brick first.”
Likewise, Crate has prioritized open space preservation, maintaining a committee of residents and officials to identify potential areas where land can be purchased or donated to the township – including some that had previously been approved for development.
Republicans lost control of the mayor’s office after Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis decided against running again in 2013. Mayor John Ducey was victorious in that year’s election over former council member Joseph Sangiovanni. He went on to serve multiple terms, growing into one of the township’s most popular political figures in decades, before being appointed to the state judiciary in 2023. His fellow Democrat, then-council member Lisa Crate, was appointed to succeed Ducey as acting mayor before winning her own election to serve the rest of his term. This year, Brick residents will vote for a candidate to serve a full mayoral term.
Brick Township has only elected one Republican – Councilman Perry Albanese – to serve in municipal government in 12 years. But conservative candidates fared well in recent school board elections, wresting a board majority from a slate of candidates affiliated with the Democratic party, culminating with Iannarone’s selection by her colleagues to serve as board president.
Republicans will also challenge the Democrats’ 6-1 majority on the township council this year, with the party organization throwing its support behind Gregory J. Cohen, Robert Canfield III, and Lisa Reina. Canfield, earlier this week, announced he was no longer pursuing a long-shot campaign for New Jersey governor after Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law increasing the number of signatures required on nominating petitions to run for that office.
The Brick GOP announced it would support former radio host and news anchor Bill Spadea for governor.
The party said it will focus on “smarter fiscal budgeting, curbing overdevelopment, bolstering public safety, and ensuring that every resident’s voice is heard” during this year’s campaign.
Shorebeat will report on the plans of the township’s Democratic organization once it announces its endorsements.
