Toms River GOP leader coasts to re-election

In a vote that offers a glimpse into next month’s race for Ocean County GOP chairman, Toms River Republican Municipal Chairman Peter Van Dyke was re-elected tonight by a vote of 72 to 11.

Van Dyke is backing Sheriff Michael Mastronardy for county chairman.

Toms River had previously been a stronghold for George Gilmore who served as county chairman from 1996 to 2019.  Gilmore and Mastronardy are facing off for the post being vacated by Frank B. Holman III on July 7.

County committee candidates backed by Holman, Van Dyke and Mastronardy came out of the primary with 88 seats, while the Gilmore faction won 33 seats.

There was no candidate nominated against Van Dyke, and 11 of the 83 county committee members who attended the local reorganization meeting dissented.

Stephanie Sevastakis was elected vice chair.

In a 2019 special election, Toms River supported Frank Sadeghi, who was Gilmore’s choice to succeed him.  Holman defeated Sadeghi by 25 votes.

Gilmore lost control of the Toms River Republican Club, which had the largest block of votes at party conventions – known locally as the County Council – that awarded the organization line.  In 2021, Ocean Republicans voted 124 to 91 to certify a new club that is loyal to Holman and Van Dyke.

Van Dyke had been a law partner of Thomas F. Kelaher, a former mayor and Ocean County Prosecutor who died in 2021.