By BILL BARLOW
Special to the Sentinel
UPPER TOWNSHIP — Mark Pancoast is running for Upper Township Committee this year, according to township Republican leader Larry Trulli.
The sergeant with the Ocean City Police Department is the Republican organization’s pick to round out the three-person ticket.
Pancoast has the party’s backing for the nomination for a one-year term open this year, which was formerly filled by Hobie Young. After Young’s high-profile resignation last year, committee appointed Kim Hayes to fill the seat until the next election. With the decision by longtime Mayor Rich Palombo not to seek re-election this year, Hayes has decided to seek a four-year term, joining fellow incumbent Ed Barr.
The nominees could still be challenged in a primary, Trulli said, but they each have the local Republican organization’s support for the nomination, which means their names will be on the party line on the primary ballot. In Upper Township, for many years whoever won the Republican nomination in June also won the seat in November, despite recent challenges from Democrats.
So far the Democrats have not announced candidates for the three committee seats up for a vote this year.
Trulli praised Pancoast, who serves on the township Zoning Board and works with the Upper Township Football Association.
“He’s a good guy. He’s involved with a lot of things,” Trulli said.