Marlboro Councilwoman Switches Parties, Will Run as Democrat

The last sitting Republican on the Marlboro Town Council just changed her allegiances.

Councilwoman Carol Mazzola will campaign this year as a Democrat, leaving the Marlboro Republican Club with no currently elected officials.

Mazzola said her reason for leaving is "petty politics."

“They don’t even understand how the government works. They only see issues through politics and their personal animosities," Mazzola said in a news release. "It’s an easy decision to run with those that have Marlboro’s interests at heart rather than those who only see petty politics.”

Hornik and LaRocca ran for a second time and won on the same ticket and won their seats in 2011.

“Mayor Jon Hornik and Chairman LaRocca are doing phenomenal jobs,” Mazzola said in a news release. “It’s always people first with their team; not politics first. The Council is doing an excellent job and I feel very comfortable being part of their team. They have the best interests of Marlboro at heart.”

Mazzola is not the first Marlboro politician to change parties. Councilman Lt. Col. Jeff Cantor was previously a member of the Marlboro Republican Club.

“We have worked hard to move Marlboro in the right direction,” Hornik said in a news release. “Councilwoman Mazzola is right for our team.”

Mazzola said in the news release that the democratic council has "kept property taxes down and expanded services" as well as responded well to Hurricane Sandy.

“Carol has been a partner in moving Marlboro forward through difficult times,” LaRocca said. “I look forward to working with her for an even brighter future in Marlboro.”

Mazzola is the former president of the Kiwanis Club of Marlboro, a volunteer with the American Cancer Society and West Monmouth Cares. Mazzola is a realtor with Keller Williams.

Mazzola will run this year with Councilmen Scott Metzger and Cantor.