Senator Vin Gopal went aggressive in backing candidates and slates in 3 critical nonpartisan races in District 11. After coming off a big 22 point win last year, Gopal is using his political capital to help elect allies where in the past he had mostly stayed neutral.

In Asbury Park, Gopal went heavy for Asbury Together. The slate of Amy Quinn, Yvonne Clayton and Eileen Chapman won by a resounding 3 to 1 margin, defeating candidates John Lofreddo, Garret Giberson and Jill Potter. According to 48 hour Elec Reports, Gopal made a $10,000 donation to their campaign in the closing days of the campaign.

In Bradley Beach, Gopal endorsed Al Gubatosi and Shana Greenblat in a contentious election against Bill Psiuk and Don Warnet. Psiuk went negative in the closing days but it appears to have backfired. The race was to succeed outgoing Mayor Larry Fox who did not seek re-election. Gubatosi won by a 58% to 42% margin.

In Ocean Township, Gopal backed candidate Gitta Kaplan was victorious over Jacquie Wenzel, defeating her by more than 1,000 votes. Kaplan took a council seat vacated earlier this year from Gopal’s running mate, now Assemblywoman Margie Donlon.