If you spent any time near the Jersey Shore this past November, you probably felt the static in the air. Monmouth County isn’t just a place with great boardwalks; it's a massive political barometer for the "purple" parts of the Garden State. People were refreshing the Monmouth County Clerk's page until their thumbs hurt. Honestly, the Monmouth County election results 2024 didn't just tell us who won; they painted a picture of a county that is leaning harder into its red roots while the blue pockets try to hold the line.
The numbers are finally settled. No more "pending ballots" or "provisional counts" keeping us up at night.
The Big Picture: Trump’s Monmouth Surge
Donald Trump didn’t just win Monmouth County; he took it by a significantly wider margin than in 2020. Back then, it was a relatively tight race in the grand scheme of things. This time around, Trump pulled in 197,409 votes, which comes out to roughly 54.59% of the total. Kamala Harris trailed with 156,382 votes (43.25%).
That’s a lead of over 41,000 votes.
If you're looking for where the energy was, you've gotta look at places like Howell and Middletown. In Howell, Trump cleared 19,000 votes, while Harris hovered around 10,800. Middletown, always a GOP stronghold, saw Trump land 21,780 votes compared to Harris's 14,800. Even in "swingier" spots, the shift was noticeable.
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It wasn't just the top of the ticket either. Curtis Bashaw, the Republican challenger for the U.S. Senate, actually beat Andy Kim within the county lines. Bashaw took 53.72% of the Monmouth vote. Of course, Kim won the seat statewide, but Monmouth made it clear they weren't entirely sold on the North Jersey-centric Democratic platform this cycle.
Breaking Down the Congressional Fights
We saw three different House races touch Monmouth County this year. It's a weirdly split map if you aren't used to it.
The 4th District: Chris Smith’s Dynasty
Chris Smith is basically a permanent fixture at this point. He’s been in office since the Carter administration, and 2024 was no different. He secured 61.69% of the vote in the Monmouth portion of his district. His challenger, Matthew Jenkins, put up a fight but ended with 37.02%. Smith’s focus on parental rights and the economy continues to resonate with the suburban families in Wall, Colts Neck, and Holmdel.
The 6th District: Pallone Holds the North
Up in the northern part of the county—think Aberdeen, Hazlet, and Long Branch—Frank Pallone managed to keep his seat. It was closer than some expected, but Pallone took 52.07% of the Monmouth vote against Scott Fegler’s 45.64%. This is the "blue wall" of the Shore, and while it's still standing, the mortar is looking a little thin in places.
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The 3rd District: A Republican Pocket
The 3rd District only clips a small part of Monmouth, but in that section, Republican Rajesh Mohan actually outperformed Democrat Herb Conaway, taking 58.35% of the local vote. Again, Conaway won the seat overall because of the heavy Democratic lean in Burlington County, but Monmouth was doing its own thing.
County and Local Results: The Red Sweep
If you were a Democrat running for county-wide office this year, it was a rough night. Susan M. Kiley kept her seat on the Board of County Commissioners with 58% of the vote. Her opponent, Danielle Mastropiero, finished with about 41.89%. This ensures the Republicans keep their 5-0 lock on the county government.
What does that mean for you? It means the current trajectory on county taxes and "Home Rule" isn't changing anytime soon.
Local Surprises and Tight Calls
- Asbury Park: A rare blue haven. The City Council race saw incumbents like Amy Quinn (24.39%) and Yvonne Clayton (23.85%) comfortably leading the pack.
- Bradley Beach: Things got interesting here. Alan Gubitosi won the Mayor's race with 58.19% over William Psiuk.
- Belmar: In a tight council race, Republican Jodi Kinney edged out Democrat Johanna Robinson with 55.20% of the vote.
- Atlantic Highlands: This was a nail-biter. Jose Pujols and Brian Dougherty (Democrats) grabbed the two council seats, but only by a handful of votes over Ellen O’Dwyer Woods.
Why These Results Matter for 2026
The turnout was massive. We're talking 72% of registered voters in Monmouth County showed up or mailed it in. That is 363,680 ballots cast.
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People are engaged because the stakes feel personal. Whether it's the cost of groceries at the ShopRite in Freehold or the offshore wind debates happening off the coast of Belmar, Monmouth voters are using the ballot box to send a message.
The biggest takeaway from the Monmouth County election results 2024 is the disappearing "middle." Towns that used to be 50/50 are now trending 60/40. The geographic divide is hardening. The "inland" towns like Marlboro and Manalapan are seeing Republican gains, while the traditional coastal hubs are becoming isolated Democratic outposts.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re living in Monmouth, don’t let the "Big Election" be the end of your involvement. Local government is where the stuff that actually touches your life—like property taxes and school boards—happens.
- Check your municipal calendar. Most of the winners from this November took office in early January 2025. Now is the time to see how they’re handling the budget.
- Watch the Board of Commissioners. With a 5-0 Republican majority, keep an eye on how they balance the county's growing infrastructure needs with the promise to keep taxes stable.
- Prepare for the 2025 Gubernatorial race. New Jersey picks a new Governor next year. Monmouth County will be the primary battleground for anyone trying to replace Phil Murphy.
The 2024 results are a roadmap. They show us exactly where the county's head is at, but in Jersey politics, the road always has a few more turns than you expect.