Rare Lavallette Council Primary Ends in Win for GOP-Backed Candidates

Lavallette Borough Hall (Photo: Daniel Nee)

On a barrier island where it is more common for candidates to run unopposed than fend off primary challenges, a last-minute political split prompted by the untimely passing of a beloved councilman caused division was decided Tuesday at the polls.

On paper, Councilman Robert Lamb, who died suddenly last month, won the Republican primary election Tuesday. His opponent was his widow, who ran a snap write-in campaign after the party appointed a political newcomer, George Shenewolf, to take her husband’s seat on the dais. Karen Lamb had sought to fill that seat, and announced the write-in effort shortly after Shenewolf, a member of the borough’s planning board, was sworn into office.

Robert Lamb “won” the primary election, with Shenewolf the presumed candidate whose name will appear on the November ballot in his stead. Though the names of write-in candidates are generally not publicly sorted on election night, it appears Karen Lamb received about 205 votes, considering no other candidates signaled interest in a write-in campaign. Robert Lamb received 310 votes, and incumbent GOP councilman Michael Stogdill – who ran unopposed – received 331 votes.

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No petitions were filed by Democrats to run for office in Lavallette, though write-in Democrats won 29 votes. It is unknown if the party will field a candidate for the general election.

In other corners of the island, there were no surprises.

The only Democrats to officially seek office island-wide were in Seaside Park, where Kathleen Spadafino and Thomas Joseph won the nomination unopposed with 122 and 113 votes each, respectively. The Seaside Park council is currently an all-Republican body, with incumbent Councilwoman Gina Condos receiving 274 votes and Joseph Toth winning 252 votes to represent the GOP.

In Seaside Heights, no Democrats sought seats on the council. Incumbent Republicans Richard Tompkins and Vito Ferrone won 159 votes and 140 votes, respectively, and will appear on November’s ballot.