New Howell mayor backs Spadea

John Leggio, who takes office next month as mayor of Howell, the second-largest municipality in Monmouth County, today endorsed Bill Spadea for governor in the 2025 Republican gubernatorial primary.

“I’m endorsing Bill because he knows exactly what it takes to save our state,” said Leggio.

With Spadea’s support, Leggio mounted an off-the-line bid in the GOP mayoral primary in June and defeated Councilman Ian Nadel by 54 votes, 44%–43%, in a three-way race. Nadel had the backing of Monmouth County GOP Chairman Shaun Golden, who is expected to endorse Jack Ciattarelli for governor.

“Over the last several months, I’ve gotten to know Bill and his wife, Jodi, and their commitment to New Jersey is unmatched. I know what it’s like to have the bosses and the bullies try to stop you,” Leggio stated.  “But with Bill’s help, I stood up to them and won. I know he has the guts and the strength to do the same in his campaign for governor.”

Leggio won the general election with 68% of the vote to succeed Democrat Theresa Berger, who did not seek re-election after two terms at the helm of a solidly Republican municipality that went for Donald Trump by nearly 27 percentage points.

“The pattern of bullying and bossism in Monmouth County is exactly what is wrong with politics. Establishment Republicans in Monmouth would have preferred to have a Democrat in office instead of John Leggio. Thankfully, he won,” Spadea said. “With his help, we’ll win Howell – and become the next Republican Governor from New Jersey.”

In 2021, Howell produced 3,134 votes in the Republican gubernatorial primary – 9.1% of all votes cast in Monmouth County that year.   Phil Rizzo won Howell by 110 votes, 38.1% to 34.6%, against Ciattarelli, with two other candidates trailing.

Yesterday, Marlboro Republican Municipal Chairman Renzo Kolenovic endorsed Spadea; Marlboro is the third-largest municipality in Monmouth County.