TOMS RIVER – Little Egg Harbor Township Committeewoman Barbara “Bobbi” Jo Crea will become only the third woman to serve on Ocean County’s governing body in its 171-year history.

Crea, 73, was elected Tuesday to the county Board of Commissioners with incumbent Gary Quinn, who is its chairman and was seeking a second, three-year term this fall. Quinn, 65, of Lacey, was first elected to the panel — formerly the Board of Freeholders — in 2018. Republicans have not lost a countywide race in Ocean since 1989.

Quinn received 137,439 votes and Crea received 133,746 votes, according to unofficial numbers reported by the Ocean County Clerk’s Office.

The GOP ticket defeated five other candidates who were emboldened by the retirement of Commissioner Gerry P. Little, who announced last December that he would not seek another term this fall after 18 years in office.

Democrats Philip Nufrio, 69, and Catherine A. Paura, 71, both of Seaside Park, received 53,731 and 54,713 votes, respectively. Libertarian candidates Dan Valentine, 23, of Toms River, and Robert Canfield, 30, of Brick, received 2,310 and 2,063 votes, respectively. Green Party candidate Barry D. Bendar, 64, of Lacey, received 1,336 votes, all according to the unofficial vote tallies on Tuesday night.

Live results:NJ election 2021: Live updates as Ocean County GOP wins county races

Although one party will continue to reign over Ocean County, a subtle shift in the balance of power on the five-member commission is a certainty as Crea is not only the third woman to ever serve on the board, but the third newest face on the commission in just five years. Until 2016, there had been no turnover on the board since 2003.

Ocean County election preview:Ocean County commissioner race will result in a big change — no matter who wins

“For the first time in history, we have two ladies on the freeholder — the commissioner board,” announced Ocean County Republican Chairman Frank B. Holman III on Tuesday night, after the results were tallied at the Days Hotel in Toms River, where the organization was celebrating its election night victories.

When Crea takes office in January, she will sit on the dais alongside Commissioner Virginia E. Haines, the second woman to serve on the board, who took office in 2016. Hazel Gluck, the only other female countywide officeholder in Ocean County history, was on the board for one term in the late 1970s — serving as its chairwoman in 1978 — before she was elected to the state Assembly one year later.

“Oh my goodness, Gary,” Crea remarked to Quinn as she took the microphone to address the crowd that had formed in front of her.

“Holy smokes!” Crea declared to the audience.

“When I decided to take this position and run for this office, I decided to do so because I wanted to be a part of an organization that does great things for great people,” she said. “So, thank you. I am honored and privileged to stand here as your commissioner — I almost said freeholder — your commissioner-elect.  And I look forward to the opportunity to serve all of you in January. God bless you all.”

More results:GOP sweeps 4 council seats in Toms River, 3 incumbents re-elected to Regional board

Monmouth County election:GOP countywide candidates win by 2-to-1 margin

When Quinn took the microphone he congratulated his running mate, noting the historic nature of her win. 

“I think it was the right time for Bobbi,” Quinn said. “She’s got a lot of municipal experience and it’s going to be a true honor to bring Bobbi on board in January and have her serve as a commissioner. Having two ladies on the board is going to be fantastic.”

Erik Larsen: 732-682-9359 or [email protected]

Source: Asbury Park

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

Could China-Taiwan conflict escalate to a full blown military crisis?

Can Taiwan become the next Ukraine? This is a question that defence…

Alex Berenson calls down the THUNDER on Branch Covidian Andy Slavitt for using power of fed gov to deplatform him (thread) – twitchy.com

As even the CDC loosens restrictions (all but admitting everyone who was…

Fatal Frame: How to Play Every Game in Order

Fifteen years after its original release, horror game Fatal Frame: Mask of…

Google Street View’s top photos as it turns 15, from the White House at Christmas to Venice canals

From the White House at Christmas to Venice canals, Google Street View’s…