The Slate Is Set; Sean Byrnes Joins Tricia Maguire & Danielle Walsh As Candidates For Middletown Township Committee

The Middletown Democrats have informed me that they are very happy to have former Township Committeeman Sean Byrnes, join Tricia Maguire and Danielle Walsh, as a candidate on their ticket this fall.

Recently the Middletown Township Committee appointed Patricia Snell to the fill the vacant seat on the dais that opened when acting Mayor Stephanie Murray resigned. As a result, 3 seats are up for grabs this Fall. This election will determine who controls the Township Committee, Democrats or Republicans, next year.

The Middletown Democrats will be making a formal announcement soon concerning this year's candidates for Middletown Township Committee.

Video: Maguire & Walsh For Township Committee

If you haven't seen this video, you should. Two excellent candidates for Middletown Township Committee and two even better people.

Things Are Looking Brighter

For those of you that woke up yesterday morning, feeling down and out because Middletown Democratic candidate Tricia Maguire, LD13 candidates Sean F. Byrnes, Tom Giaimo and Mariel DiDato and Monmouth County Freeholder candidates Margie Donjon and Brian Wilton did not come out victorious yesterday, cheer up. The Middletown GOP's margin of victory over the Middletown Democrats this year was shrunk by over 4% due in large part by a tremendous GOTV effort this year by numerous volunteers and candidate Tricia Maguire.

While 4% may not seem like much, it was huge! The Middletown Democrats closed the gap from previous elections and shrunk the margins of Republicans countywide​. The races in LD 13 and for Freeholder were much closer than in previous years, in large part to the Democratic turn out in Middletown. That means we are moving in the right direction and we have momentum moving forward. Next year is looking brighter already.

In Middletown, all of the Democratic candidates received a minimum of a 1000 votes more than our Governor elect Phil Murphy. This is huge! Especially when you take into consideration that Kim Guadagni received 5000 more votes in Middletown than Phil Murphy.

In hindsight, Murphy's statement about making New Jersey a "sanctuary state", which was drove home constantly by the  Guadagno campaign, not only hurt Murphy in Middletown, but also in northern Monmouth County. It lead to the local Democratic candidates having to answer questions about it, which in turn took away from their messages and caused potential supporters not to vote.

Overall I'm encouraged by Tuesday night's results. Phil Murphy, flaws and all, is the governor elect and Democrat Vin Gopal beat Jennifer Beck to become the new LD11 State Senator. When added to the results in Middletown, where the margins were shrunk even though the Democratic candidates lost, it was a good day. The resistance is strong and the future is bright!

Tricia Maguire For Middletown

Letter: Support Tricia Maguire for the Middletown Committee

The following letter appears on the Atlantic Highlands Herald:


Ladies and Gentlemen:

Tricia Maguire

I often feel that Middletown is run by insiders who have been returned to office by voters too preoccupied to demand accountability. But after meeting Tricia Maguire, a candidate for Middletown Committee, I am pleased to offer my endorsement for her candidacy. You only have to meet Tricia personally to sense the genuine nature of her commitment to open dialog and dedication to facing Middletown’s public issues inclusively. To know that she has an educational background in psychology and child development simply points out why she is pledged to transparency in government, just as parents hope to develop the trust of their children through honest conversation.

For too many years we have been sending the same people to represent the Middletown community with the result that decisions are often made behind closed doors. It is time for fresh, well-informed perspectives, unfettered by long term behind-the-scenes influences.

I urge voters to support Tricia Maguire for the Middletown Committee.



Barrett Thiele

It's Time To Get Caught Up

I realized yesterday that I hadn't posted to the blog in nearly 3 weeks! That's to long.  Ever since my wife went back to work several months back, my honey-do list has gotten longer and longer. Add on top of that my job and the work I've been doing volunteering on Tricia Maguire's campaign for Middletown Township Committee (check out her website), I've lost track of my day to day doings.

So, I'm going to get caught up by posting some older stuff; hopefully you find it informational. If not, oh well .... haha 😊

Tricia Maguire, Democratic Candidate for Middletown Township Committee

Democratic Candidate for Middletown Township Committee, Tricia Maguire, addressed nearly 100 supporters who came out to show their support on September 8th. Tricia had some very good words to share with everyone.

Tricia shared her thoughts on why she is running for Township Committee and about her experience knocking on doors campaigning and talking to people around town.

Note: the sound and picture quality of this video isn't the best which is my fault. I recorded it on my cell phone and didn't have the proper settings on the phone to optimize the recording. Nevertheless, Tricia's words speaks volumes about herself and her campaign. You can learn more about Tricia at her website: vote4tricia.com

Sign of the Times

The Middletown Democrats will have campaign signs delivered late this week and will be distributing them to supporters around town. If you would like one contact the Middletown Democrats through their website middletowndemocrat.org or their Facebook page.

Write-In Candidate Tricia Maguire

If you live in Middletown and plan to vote in the Democratic primary on Tuesday be sure to cast a write-in vote for Tricia Maguire for Middletown Township Committee.