Mastronardy Tapped by GOP to Run for Sheriff

Toms River Police Chief Mike Mastronardy, will be seeking the Ocean County Sheriff's post.

The long-serving Township official was nominated by Ocean County Republicans Monday night at their convention at Toms River Holiday Inn where Governor Chris Christie made an appearance.

Officials are also waiting for Christie to name a temporary replacement for the late Sheriff William Polhemus who died on December 14th last year at the age of 84 not long after being re-elected to his 27th year in office. Christie made no indication on who he was planning to name tonight.

Chief Mastronardy was appointed in 1992 to lead what was then the Dover Township Police Department. The Dover Township Police Department officially became the Tom River Township Police Department in November 2006.

Some of the names previously mentioned to run included Ocean County Freeholder Jack Kelly, Seaside Heights Police Chief Thomas Boyd and Acting Sheriff Bill Sommeling. Freeholder Kelly was formally nominated to run for re-election.