'Causing harm to our town': New Atlantic Highlands mayor skewers rival's recount lawsuit
Two months after Election Day and one month after a recount certified the result, the losing candidate for Atlantic Highlands mayor continues to reject the outcome.
This time, he’s taking his objection to court.
Republican James Murphy has filed a lawsuit contesting the results, which showed Democrat Lori Hohenleitner winning with 847 votes to Murphy’s 842. Joining Murphy in the lawsuit is Republican candidate for Borough Council Ellen O’Dwyer Woods, who fell 12 votes short of Democrat Alyson Forbes.
The lawsuit, filed in Monmouth County Superior Court against the Monmouth County Board of Elections, Monmouth County clerk Christine Hanlon and Atlantic Highlands clerk Michelle Clark, contends that “illegal votes were received and that legal votes were improperly rejected.”
Hohenleitner and Forbes were sworn in Jan. 1. Murphy remains a member of the Borough Council, the sole Republican on that body.
“It’s unfortunate that they twice-certified election is being brought to the court,” Hohenleitner told the Asbury Park Press. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Jim Murphy and I share one thing in common and that’s we love Atlantic Highlands. I don’t think these actions reflect that. I think these actions are causing harm to our town. Any talk of unity, which was the theme of his campaign, seems to be in doubt.”
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The lawsuit named 19 individuals and alleges they “do not meet the residency requirements to vote in the Atlantic Highlands 2023 General Election and their votes should be discounted.”
It also alleges that three named individuals’ “ballots should be rejected as a comparison of their signatures indicates that the named voter did not fill out their own ballot.”
The lawsuit contends that “the results of the election do not reflect the will of the voters and the election results should be vacated and petitioners declared the winners of their respective offices.” It also proposes “In the alternative, ordering a special election for the office of mayor and Borough Council.”
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Attorney George Cohen, who is representing the Monmouth County Board of Elections in the matter, could not be reached for comment.
Hohenleitner said she will continue to serve as planned.
“We’re moving forward to get the business of the town done,” she said.
Jerry Carino is community columnist for the Asbury Park Press, focusing on the Jersey Shore’s interesting people, inspiring stories and pressing issues. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Atlantic Highlands NJ mayor blasts rival's recount lawsuit
