Rodrick will screen for mayor

Toms River councilman Dan Rodrick says he was invited to screen as a potential Republican candidate for mayor by party leaders.

The GOP incumbent, 86-year-old James Kelaher, has not ruled out seeking re-election to a fourth term.

Rodrick was elected to the council as a Democrat in 2017 and switched parties last year.

“Right now I’m not running for anything,” said Rodrick, noting that he is concentrating on his council duties right now.  “They asked me to screen.  I’m flattered to be asked.”

Councilman Mo Hill said today that he will also screen for GOP support for mayor.

Some insiders mentioned Rodrick as a potential Assembly candidate in the 10th district, where Republican incumbent David Wolfe (R-Brick) announced today that he will not seek re-election after 28 years in the legislature.

Rodick says he hasn’t thought about running for the Assembly.

“I’ll screen if they ask me,” he said, noting that the state has cut $20 million in funding for Toms River under Gov. Phil Murphy.