New Mayoral Candidate Announced For Toms River Democrats

TOMS RIVER, NJ ? The Toms River Democratic Committee has chosen a new candidate to run for mayor, filling a candidacy vacated earlier this month by John Furey.

Ben Giovine, who served on the Toms River Regional Board of Education and has been working for Rep. Andy Kim, was chosen Tuesday by the committee to run against the Republican candidate, Councilman Dan Rodrick.

"Now that the committee vote is completed, I can confirm the rumor going around town that I am launching my campaign for Toms River Mayor," Giovine wrote in a post on Facebook Tuesday night. "I take this step with the support of my family and friends and with the support of the many Republicans, Democrats and Independents that have reached out to express their concerns about the future of our town. My campaign will be centered around the local issues that affect residents every day."

Paul C. Williams, a member of the Democratic Committee who ran for council in the primary, has vowed to file a lawsuit to challenge the selection process, which he said "actually discouraged members from participating." The committee used a Zoom poll, which Williams contends did not offer the opportunity for a secret ballot.

Williams has been repeatedly critical of the Toms River Democratic Committee over the last two years over its operations.

Giovine was elected to the Toms River school board in April 2011 in the wake of the arrest of former Superintendent Michael Ritacco on bribery and corruption charges. Ritacco later pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 2012 to 11 years in federal prison. He was released in 2020 to finish his prison term in home confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Giovine raised that issue in his Facebook announcement.

"Toms River is my hometown," Giovine wrote, noting he graduated from the Toms River schools and is raising his family in the township. "During my time on the Toms River Board of Ed, I successfully built a bipartisan coalition to root out corruption. I hope a majority of Toms River recognizes that we cannot allow corrupt individuals take over our politics. Our community is better than that."

"It is unique to launch a campaign on the eve of Labor Day Weekend," Giovine wrote. "This will be a busy 10 weeks and I?ll work my hardest to earn every vote. Please stay engaged and look forward to a great campaign."

Furey dropped out of the race for mayor in early August, following rampant speculation about his candidacy after Rodrick defeated incumbent Mayor Maurice "Mo" Hill in the GOP primary in June.

Furey did not respond to Patch requests for biographical information, and township Democratic Committee Chair Jeff Horn has not responded to Patch requests for information.

Also chosen during Tuesday's polling was Ruby Franco, to fill the Democratic council candidacy vacated by Kajal Lal, who accepted a job working for the federal government, according to a Jersey Shore Online report.

The other candidates on the Democratic ticket for three Toms River council seats are Michele Williams, who serves on the Toms River school board, and Rhetta Jackson-Fair.