In a close Saturday morning vote, Neptune Democrats narrowly voted to endorse Neptune Township mayor Carol Rizzo for re-election.
Rizzo, the first openly gay woman mayor in the township, won the Monmouth Democratic organization line on the second ballot. She defeated Tassie York, a pastor and youth counselor, by a 17-14 vote.
On the first ballot, Rizzo and York tied at 16 votes each.
Deputy mayor Rob Lane was unopposed for re-nomination, receiving 25 votes on the first ballot.
Lane the vice president of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Local 694.
York is not expected to pursue the nomination following today’s vote.
Neptune Township Democrats — only elected county committee members vote — do not automatically support incumbents.
In 2015, Mayor Mary Beth Jahn lost a county committee vote to challenger Nick Williams and was replaced on the ticket.