SOUTH TOMS RIVER, NJ — November 8, 2026 — In a New Jersey borough with a history of extraordinarily close elections, the race for mayor has come down to just one vote.
Democratic challenger and former mayor Gigi Esparza is leading Republican incumbent Oscar Cradle by 436 votes to 435, according to the latest available unofficial results from Ocean County.
The race was initially tied at 435 votes each before an additional ballot gave Esparza a narrow lead.
With such a small margin, the outcome remains uncertain. Outstanding ballots, a possible recount, or legal challenges could still affect the final result.
A Town That Has Been Here Before
For residents of South Toms River, the uncertainty may feel familiar.
In 2020, a borough council election ended in a tie between two candidates competing for a council seat. The result led to a legal battle over disputed ballots and election procedures.
The dispute continued for more than a year before a new election was held in March 2022, roughly 16 months after the original vote.
Now, six years later, the borough is once again facing an election in which a single ballot could make the difference.
Democrats Gain Ground on the Borough Council
While the mayoral contest remains unresolved, Democrats have also made gains in the borough council election.
Democratic candidates Jacqueline Burns and Christina Mertz are leading the council race, ahead of Republican candidates Sandford Ross and Crystal Wurst.
Their victories would give Democrats two seats on the six-member council, which is currently controlled entirely by Republicans.
Esparza previously served as mayor following an appointment in 2022, while Cradle is seeking a second four-year term.
For now, residents of South Toms River must wait for the remaining ballots to be processed and the results officially certified.
The election is a reminder of something often repeated during campaigns but rarely demonstrated so clearly: in a small community, a single vote really can make the difference.
Sources: New Jersey Globe, November 6, 2026; Ocean County unofficial election results; New Jersey Superior Court election records.
By NJ RADAR Team