Republican Candidate Drops Out Of Township Committee Race

Both Republican and Democratic party officials in Lacey will be scrambling to find replacement candidates for the two three-year terms up on the Township Committee.
Republican Christopher M. Reid sent a letter to Ocean County Clerk Scott M.Colabella on June 18 asking that his name be withdrawn from the ballot.
"...I am withdrawing from the race," the letter states.
Reid, 44, is the son of former Township Committeeman Brian Reid. He was recently appointed to a $120,000 a year position as the Berkeley Township administrator. He also has a law practice in Manahawkin and serves on the Lacey Township Planning Board.
Colabella said he still has not received a formal letter from incumbent Township Councilwoman Helen DelaCruz asking that her name be removed from the ballot.
DelaCruz announced at a recent Township Committee meeting that she was withdrawing from the race. She has until Sept. 10 to notify the county clerk's office in writing, Colabella said.
"Otherwise, her name will still be on the ballot," he said.
The local Republican and Democratic party organizations have until Sept. 12 to submit substitute candidates, he said.
No Democrats challenged DelaCruz for the party nomination.
Republican Gregory Pancza - who did not receive the endorsement of the Republican Club - cannot run on the ballot as an independent, since the deadline to file as an independent was the day of the primary, Colabella said.
But residents could still vote for him as a write-in on the day of the general election, he said.