Candidate Challenging Hudak In Manchester Mayoral Race

MANCHESTER, NJ — Manchester Township will have a contested election for mayor, after another resident announced he is running for office.

Robert Arace, 27, announced he will challenge Mayor Robert Hudak in November for the right to serve out the final year of Kenneth Palmer's term.

Palmer resigned June 25 after he was appointed to be a Superior Court judge in Ocean County. Palmer was elected to his first term in November 2014 and re-elected in November 2018. Hudak, 44, was appointed by the Manchester Township Council to serve through the end of 2021 but the final year of Palmer's term will be up for election on the November ballot.

Arace has a background in tech and works as a principal consultant specializing in marketing and analytics, and working with mid-size to Fortune 500 companies on business strategy and demand generation. He has a bachelor's degree in finance from Monmouth University, according to his Linked In profile.

He also serves as the second alternate on the Manchester Township Zoning Board of Adjustment.

He and his wife moved from Beachwood to Manchester, and he aims to bring a fresh perspective to Manchester, "focusing on bringing ratables and amenities to the town while continuing to keep taxes low and maintaining the quality of life that residents enjoy," a news release announcing his mayoral run said.

“With great schools, Pinelands, and close proximity to amenities in surrounding towns, Manchester boasts a unique lifestyle — one that attracted my wife and me to raise our family and care for our community,” he said.

Arace said he has been tuning in to what his neighbors around the community have been needing — things like trash removal and advocating for senior residents.

“Our senior residents have worked hard their entire lives, raised their families, and deserve to enjoy their golden years in a town that takes care of them,” he said, adding that he "promises to be a true public servant and looks forward to earning the support of the voters in Manchester."

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