Meet Tony Perry, Running For Re-Election To Middletown Twp. Committee

MIDDLETOWN, NJ ? Two people are running for one seat on the Middletown Township Committee this fall, for a three-year term.

Middletown Mayor Tony Perry, a Republican, will ask voters to re-elect him, and he is challenged by Mike Morris, a Democrat.

Morris is a longtime resident of Middletown, and he also writes the MiddletownMike news and opinion blog.

Patch asked Morris to introduce himself to voters, and tell voters why they should vote for him. Here is his election profile: Meet Mike Morris, Running For Middletown Township Committee

And now, Patch volleyed those same questions to Perry, and asked him to respond to some of Morris' criticism of him. Here are Perry's answers:

But, first! The two men will face off in a virtual forum held at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 and organized by the Monmouth County League of Women Voters. The forum will be virtually over Zoom; bth Morris and Perry told Patch they will be there. Registration is required. Visit bit.ly/middletowncommittee to register.

A trained League moderator who does not live in Middletown will moderate the forum. Questions may be submitted during the registration process or by email to lwvforum2024@gmail.com and putting ?Middletown Committee? in the subject line.

Give a brief bio on yourself. Age, education, occupation.

I proudly live in Middletown's Village section with my wife, Alannah, and our three young children. I was elected to my first term in November 2018 and re-elected to the Township Committee in November 2021. I became mayor for the first time in 2019 at 28 years old, making me the youngest mayor in (Middletown) Township's history. Now in my sixth year as mayor and seventh on the Township Committee, I turned 34 in 2024.

Before joining the Township Committee, I served on the Middletown Township Planning Board and as well as a trustee of the Middletown Township Library Board. After graduating from Temple University, I joined the Sandy Recovery Division of the Governor's Office, assisting with the recovery efforts throughout the state. From 2014 to 2018, I also served as chief of staff to Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos (Monmouth County Republican state Senator, now retired), helping residents of the 13th Legislative District.

How many terms have you served on the Middletown Township Committee?

I am currently in my second term on the Township Committee; first elected in November 2018 and re-elected in November 2021.

Why are you running for re-election?

I am running for re-election to continue delivering for the residents of Middletown. We have achieved an incredible amount ? from our record investments in public safety and preserving open space, to fighting for Middletown as Trenton continues to impose high-density housing mandates on towns across New Jersey under the guise of "affordable housing."

We continue to make record investments in our recreational facilities, including restoring the historic Conover Beacon and the Murray Farmhouse and Barn. The Township Committee and I have invested millions of dollars in our playgrounds, with the newest additions being McMahon's fully accessible playground and Kunkel Park's new skate park. Earlier this year, we opened the Tindall Park dog park, and we will soon unveil the complete renovation of the tennis and pickleball courts there. Additionally, our comprehensive basketball and tennis court restoration project is underway, as the governing body has authorized every court in town to be replaced by the end of 2025.

Middletown has also been outspoken about the failed "bail reform" policies that are putting New Jersey's residents in danger. It is the responsibility of every elected official to protect our residents, and I will continue to fight for the men and women of our police department by providing them with the necessary tools effectively ensure the safety of our community. Trenton's assault on the men and women in blue is unacceptable, and we will remain a town of law and order, not chaos.

I am running for re-election because I have three young children, and I want them to grow up in the incredible town Middletown is today. Over the past seven years, I have fought each day for the residents of Middletown, and if I am given another term this November, they can count on that same dedication. We live in an incredible town filled with amazing individuals ? from lifelong residents to newer ones ? who all share the goal of preserving and safeguarding the Middletown we love!

Do you plan to run for public office higher than the Middletown Township Committee?

I have been asked to run for several public offices and have had the opportunity to do so, but I am committed to serving the people of Middletown. My name is on the ballot this year for the Township Committee, and my priority is to build on the successes that we have achieved and plan for our future.

When I asked Mike Morris if he can pinpoint any failures on the Middletown Township Committee in the past few years ? mistakes made in running the Township ? he pointed to two specific things: Middletown is unaffordable. There is not enough affordable rental housing, nor is there enough affordable housing for young families just starting out. He also said town leaders have allowed Middletown to become overdeveloped. Can you respond?

Middletown has been fighting the Trenton-dictated "affordable housing" mandates since 2019. These mandates are not about helping those in need; they are about providing developers with massive housing developments. These projects do not create housing for those in need; instead, they continually drive housing prices higher, hurting the very people they claim to support.

For every "affordable unit," developers are given the green light from Trenton to build an additional four units at the market rate. For Middletown, this means Governor Murphy's mandate of 1,500+ "affordable units" will result in 6,000 new homes and apartments.

I will continue to fight this insane overdevelopment ? something I don't believe my opponent can say, given Governor Murphy's endorsement of his candidacy.

What's the best part of living in Middletown, and what's the worst?

Middletown has consistently been ranked as one of the best places to live and raise a family, most recently by Travel and Leisure magazine. From our beaches to our parks, Middletown has something to offer everyone. Like many, I want my kids to grow up in a town built on community, and no matter which section of Middletown you live in, there is a strong sense of pride.

Middletown truly embodies the spirit of the crossroads of America. We have lifelong residents who have never left, and we have those who moved here seeking a better place for their children to grow up because of what we stand for. Middletown is a town of leaders ? a town of dedicated volunteers, from our volunteer firefighters and EMS to countless others committed to making a difference. It?s a town that defines what America is all about: good, hard-working people striving to provide their families with a great place to live and thrive. With our beautiful parks, stunning beaches and thriving small businesses, how could you not fall in love with Middletown?

I love living in Middletown because I?m surrounded by incredible people ? people who work hard, share my values, and are always ready to care for our community.

Again: Meet Mike Morris, Running For Middletown Township Committee

This is Morris' first time running for Middletown Township Committee. However, he has long been active in local politics and the Monmouth County Democratic Party.

Perry is a Monmouth County Republican Committee member, and Morris is a Monmouth County Democratic Committee member.

A Democrat has not been elected to the Middletown Township Committee since 2007, when Sean Byrnes won a seat on the Township Committee.

The election will be Nov. 5, but you can vote early in person at Croydon Hall (in the Assembly Hall), at 900 Leonardville Road, Leonardo NJ 07737, from Oct. 26 - Nov. 3. Hours will be Monday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m.?8:00 p.m. and Sunday, 10:00 a.m.?6:00 p.m.

There is also mail-in voting.