Lillian Burry will not seek re-election to a seventh term as a Monmouth County Commissioner, marking a close to a political career that began 53 years ago when she ran for borough council in Matawan.
The 87-year-old Burry informed party leaders this week that would not run for another three-year term, leaving a clear path for Shrewsbury Mayor Erik Anderson to move up to county office.
Anderson, who recently announced his candidacy, was increasingly looking like a favorite anyway after Burry feuded with Monmouth GOP Chairman Shaun Golden and County Commissioner Director Tom Arnone.
She had expressed frustration that she was being pushed out.
“I’m still a viable and hardworking commissioner, and I don’t know why they are looking for someone else,” Burry told the New Jersey Globe last month.
Burry was elected freeholder (now county commissioner) in 2005 when a Green Party candidate, Brian Unger, wound up as a spoiler after receiving over 18,000 votes. Burry defeated Democrat Barbara McMorrow by 1,792 votes.
She had begun her political career when she won a seat on the Matawan Borough Council in 1970. She later moved to Colts Neck, where she eventually became a township committeewoman and mayor.
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January 13, 2022