Councilman Mo Hill has won the Republican nod for Mayor of Toms River, defeating county-backed candidate Joe Coronato by 511 votes.
The four-term councilman defeated the former Ocean County prosecutor, who was former Ocean County Republican Chairman George Gilmore’s pick for the seat, 41%-34%.
Councilman Daniel Rodrick won 25% of the vote.
Hill’s slate — which included homebuilder Matt Lotano, U.S. Army veteran and electrical contractor Josh Kopp and former Ward 2 councilman Kevin Geohegan — also defeated the county-backed council candidates.
The local GOP organization endorsed labor leader John Meehan, school board member Ginny Rhine and Christian Momm, a pharmaceutical sales representative who coaches community sports programs.