Former Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato has won the backing of the Toms River Republican organization to run for mayor in the June primary.
The three-term incumbent, 86-year-old Thomas Kelaher, is not seeking re-election.
Coronato, the choice of Ocean County GOP chairman George Gilmore, got the party endorsement over councilmen Maurice “Mo” Hil and Dan Rodrick, and former councilman Kevin Geohegan. He could still face a primary challenge.
The 68-year-old Coronato served as a deputy state attorney general from 1976 to 1981, and an assistant Atlantic County prosecutor from 1981 to 1984. While in private practice, he served as the municipal prosecutor in more than a dozen Ocean County municipalities.
Gov. Chris Christie nominated Coronato as Ocean County prosecutor in 2013. He was replaced in late 2018 by Gov. Phil Murphy.
Attorney Jonathan Petro, the chairman of the Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce, is expected to be the Democratic candidate.
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Last stop before jail Gilmore gets to select his candidate!
Isn’t this the guy who came up with the amnesty program for the Lakewood crowd? The Toms River GOP is always protecting Lakewood and Criminal George Gilmore’s interests!