Democratic Candidate Withdraws from Lacey Committee Race

County Democrats will be searching for a new Township Committee candidate as Nicholas Toth, 26, has dropped out of the race.

Toth has been accepted into Cornell University and will be going away to college, said Barry Bendar, municipal chairman for the Ocean County Democratic Committee.

At the time of his nomination, the Democratic Party was unaware that Toth was considering going to college, Bendar said. He added that Toth applied to numerous schools, some closer than others.

“It would be difficult to have a committeeman in upstate New York,” Bendar said. “It’s great for his future. We’re sorry he can’t see things through.”

Toth submitted a letter notifying the County Committee that he would be withdrawing. He also is resigning from his county committee position for district 9.

Toth states in his letter announcing his withdrawal that as a full-time college student and policy planner for an engineering firm in Howell, he is unable to dedicate an adequate amount of time necessary for any public service endeavor.

“Moreover, this decision has also come to fruition, in part, because I feel that a more practiced candidate with a higher understanding of government at the municipal level will better serve the residents of Lacey Township,” the letter said.

Toth is required to notify the county clerk that he has withdrawn from the race, Bendar said. Once that is done, the county clerk will notify Bendar, who can then start a search for a new candidate as well as municipal chairman for the county committee.

Once the formal withdrawal and resignation is completed, the Lacey Township Democratic Club will vote on a new candidate, he said.

Bendar said he would not begin the search for a new candidate until he hears from the county clerk.

A representative from the county clerk's office confirmed that they were notified of Toth's withdrawal.

The Democrats will have until Thursday, Sept. 13, to find a replacement candidate to appear on the November ballot.

“We’re searching and there are some possibilities but we haven’t decided,” campaign manager John Coan said.

Two seats on the committee are open this year — those of Republicans Mayor Mark Dykoff and Gary Quinn.

Both are running for re-election and will face first-time candidate Shawn Judson and Toth's eventual replacement for three-year terms.

The 2012 municipal race has the potential for a party power shift as three Republicans and two Democrats currently head the committee. A Republican majority has maintained the committee for more than a decade.