Five months later, Atlantic Highlands losing mayoral candidate gives up fight, speaks out
Five months after Election Day, the Atlantic Highlands mayoral saga is over.
Republican James Murphy, who came up five votes short, has withdrawn his lawsuit contending that “illegal votes were received and that legal votes were improperly rejected” and the result “should be vacated.”
The move comes after a recount certified Democrat Lori Hohenleitner won by a five-vote margin, 847 to 842, and a subsequent trial during which Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Mara Zazzali-Hogan examined the residency claims of 15 voters. She ruled six of the ballots as illegal — three of those voters had been challenged by Murphy, and three by Hohenleitner.
As a next step, Zazzali-Hogan could have compelled the six disqualified voters to disclose who they voted for. On Monday, Murphy’s attorney Matthew Moench informed the judge they are dropping the claim.
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Through Moench, Murphy issued a statement to the Asbury Park Press on the matter:
“Today’s decision to conclude our challenge was not an easy one to make, but in my heart the right one for the community I love. Throughout this democratic process, it has always been my goal to ensure the integrity of the November 2023 mayoral election and voters’ confidence in the results of our local elections. We sought to identify gaps within the current process where improper votes were accepted.
“During the course of a three-day trial, it was in fact shown that at least six individuals cast votes in the November 2023 election that should not have been cast or accepted," the statement continued.
“At this point, in order to proceed, voters would be forced by court order to disclose for whom they voted in the election. I believe the secrecy of an individual’s vote is integral to our democracy and election process," the statement continued.
"Based upon the judge’s findings at the conclusion of trial, I feel our community is best served by putting the 2023 election behind us and looking towards the future of Atlantic Highlands.
“It is my understanding this challenge may have influenced a deeper review of voter registration from the board of elections," the statement continued. "Though the results of this election will not change into a win for me personally, it is my hope improvements to the system are being taken to ensure no voter is disenfranchised moving forward, making for a win for all. Thank you to the many out there for your unwavering support, patience and understanding.”
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Murphy remains a member of the Borough Council. Hohenleitner has been serving as mayor since early January.
“This is obviously a huge relief for me personally,” she told the Asbury Park Press via phone. “Having this distraction removed alleviates some stress. I appreciate everyone who has been so supportive these last five months and before that. It’s a privilege to serve the people of Atlantic Highlands and I have always kept that as my ‘why’: Why am I doing this?”
Hohenleitner expressed concern that Murphy’s challenge could open the door to a slippery slope.
“When these things happen there are two things that can happen. You can get more divided or you can come together and heal the community, and I like to think in Atlantic Highlands we’re going to choose the healing option,” she said. “I look forward to turning the page, but this is going to be really hard to forget, and I hope this is not the norm for elections moving forward in Monmouth County and New Jersey, because this has definitely done more harm than good.”
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With the lawsuit behind her, Hohenleitner said she is focused on various borough projects that have been in the works.
“We are having a workshop Wednesday, which is the third of three workshops getting public input on property that we’d be acquiring along the waterfront in Atlantic Highlands, which is wonderful,” she said. “There’s another potential property acquisition in the town that we’re working on, which hopefully will be in partnership with Monmouth County parks and (recreation). And we are doing our best to keep up with the infrastructure that has been neglected over the past years. I’m excited to see road work being done on Grand Avenue.”
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 mayor race: Losing candidate gives up 5-month fight
