Toms River Democrats pick Andy Kim aide as mayoral candidate

Ben Giovine, a top aide to Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown) and the former president of the Toms River Regional Board of Education, is the new Democratic candidate for mayor of New Jersey’s eighth-largest municipality.

The Democratic county committee voted today to make Giovine their mayoral candidate against Republican Daniel Rodrick after John Furey dropped out of the race.

“I take this step with the support of my family and friends and with the support of the many Republicans, Democrats, and Independents that have reached out to express their concerns about the future of our town,” Giovine said.  “My campaign will be centered around the local issues that affect residents every day.”

Rodrick, a controversial two-term councilman, won an upset off-the-line victory in the June Republican primary.  He defeated former Republican Club President Geri Ambrosio by a 45.5% to 27.6% margin, with incumbent Mo Hill finishing third with 21.6%.

Some insiders say Democrats sense an opportunity to compete in a staunch GOP town against the sometimes-controversial Rodrick after a heavily divisive primary.

But Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore, a Toms River resident, disagrees.

“Ben Giovine wants to bring the same radical ideology to Toms River that his boss brought to Washington. If we’re not careful, the woke ideas of AOC and The Squad will take over our town,” Gilmore said.  “I have no doubt that Dan Rodrick is prepared for the challenge and am confident that he will win in November.”

Furey, a former township committeeman under an old form of government, withdrew from the race earlier this month.

“Toms River is my hometown.  I went to K-12 public schools and raising my family here. I was raised by values and not politics.  During my time on the Toms River Board of Ed, I successfully built a bi-partisan coalition to root out corruption,” said Giovine. “I hope a majority of Toms River recognizes that we cannot allow corrupt individuals take over our politics. Our community is better than that.”