Unofficial returns show Len Flynn received 3,126 votes (1.36%) in his run as the Libertarian Party candidate for the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Incumbent Republican Ted Narozanick won with 121,159 votes (52.86%) followed by Democrat Mike Dowling with a surprisingly strong 104,937 votes (45.78%).
In six municipalities Flynn scored over 2%, as he did among absentee ballots, and in two others he finished just under 2%. In three municipalities (Eatontown, Keyport and Union Beach) his total was greater than the difference between the Democratic and Republican candidates.
It's difficult to compare results with last year since two seats were up for election yet not every voter cast two ballots, but in terms of raw numbers it's up from the 2,594 Ginny Flynn and 2,027 Robert Hull received. And it compares well with the 2,118 votes or 1.4% Danny Maiullo received in his 1998 run for county sheriff.
To be sure, this was a a three-way race in a presidential year when not only is turnout greater but more "third party" voters go to the polls potentially boosting Flynn's numbers. But again, it compares well with the past two years when our candidates did face other alternate party candidates as well as the Democrats and Republicans.
In Monmouth County, our US Senate candidate Emerson Ellett came in fifth with 659 votes or .27%. Statewide he also finished fifth with 7,013 votes or .24%. Presidential hopeful Harry Browne placed sixth in Monmouth with 488 votes or .19%. Statewide he came in fourth with 7,133 or .23%.
Worth Winslow was our candidate for Congress in the 12th District which includes a few Monmouth municipalities. In the county he received 459 votes to finish fifth with .43%. The latest districtwide results show him finishing fourth with 1,200 votes or .41%.
Our best showing was in Upper Freehold where Flynn won close to 4% with 63 votes. Ellett scored .86% and Winslow over half a percent. In the previously mentioned Eatontown both Ellett and Winslow scored over half a percent, and in Englishtown, where Flynn scored 2.57%, Winslow won close to 1%. Other good showings were in Belmar and Bradley Beach.
This was a close race between the old parties which most likely depressed
our totals, but there is clearly a core of libertarian voters in Monmouth
County and we'll keep working hard to organize them. Along those lines,
please keep in mind our Dec. 8 coffeehouse in Asbury Park. It will be a
great opportunity to share your thoughts about this and future elections.