LONG BRANCH– Long Branch in Monmouth County is one of the Jersey’s shore’s greatest gems. Technically there’s  a non-partisan race to decide the next mayor of Long Branch NJ, population ~30,500. But anyone following the race between incumbent Adam Schneider and his opponent John Pallone knows this race has the trappings of partisanship. Schneider’s in the de facto red corner while Pallone’s favored by the more progressive set. Avery Grant, who’s on Long Branch’s Board of Education, is also on the ballot.

Mayor Schneider, running for his 8th term, came across flat in a recent debate, stirring hope at Pallone HQ. That name’s familiar. John’s the younger brother of Rep. Frank Pallone who represents Long Branch in Congress.  Mr. Grant, a jolly octogenarian who lost by 10 points in 2014 while spending no money, lags in the polls.

“If I’m elected, I want to start a smile campaign,” Grant told InsiderNJ. “I want people to look at one another and just smile. You don’t have to talk. Just acknowledge. Just smile.”

So with a smile on our face and a song in our hearts (not really) we’re off to Long Branch to take the temperature.

ELECTION DAY MORNING

Voters in Long Branch woke up to a pitch perfect spring day at the Jersey shore.  The sunset was like something from a postcard. And with highs in the mid 70s and only a few wispy clouds, there’s no excuse not to get out and vote. That said, turnout will probably be embarrassingly low. This, despite a shocking amount of campaign lawn signs all over town.  I hate lawn signs. They’re ugly. They’re a waste of money, and as today’s turnout will prove they don’t actually do much to boost voting totals. And lastly, lawn signs are bad for the environment and in a seaside town like this that’s especially obvious. Just remember: lawn signs don’t vote! And they’re no substitute for a robust GOTV effort.

Speaking of get out the vote, Pallone’s operation is run by Mitch Seim, wily veteran of these kinds of elections with a proven track record of running campaigns that displays long time incumbents. (See Brick, NJ.)  all you have to do is take a quick peek at Pallone’s headquarters and it’s patently obvious there’s a lot more going on than just lawn signs.

Pallone HQ

Pallone headquarters was bustling. People buzzing in and out with packets full of leaflets, flyers, and voter ID information. There’s a lot of canvassing going on today. And like with most campaigns, there are lots of high carb snacks on hand in case anyone’s  feeling a little peckish. You almost get the impression that every campaign in the history of New Jersey must get their blueberry muffins at the exact same Cosco. I took three. It’s going to be a long day.

My prediction of low voter turn out a couple paragraphs ago was a logical conclusion based  on past election results. But alas I may have been wrong.

“Turn out is crazy high right now,”  Seim told InsiderNJ. “ By 10AM turnout may exceed the entire turn out from four years ago!“

Roughly 2700 voters cast their ballot for mayor in 2014. When Mr Seim  checked in at district 11 he could hardly believe his ears.

“Did you say five or 105!?” He asked incredulously.  Turns out it was actually 105. And that’s just one district.

Schneider HQ

Andrew Trenk is Schneider’s campaign manager.  He was more circumspect about voter turnout than his rival colleague.  But he is expecting much higher than usual voter turn out.

“Pallone dump so much money into attack ads and it pissed people off ,” Trenk told InsiderNJ “People know there’s an election going on.”

The two campaign headquarters are located about 120 steps from one another.  Sometimes volunteers show up at the wrong headquarter by mistake.

“And sometimes they just harass us,” one volunteer said.

Schneider’s campaign HQ seemed kind of quiet for an election day to be honest. But it’s still early.

Halfway between the two camps there’s a little Salvadoran restaurant called Beto’s Pupuseria. No word if there were any awkward encounters between rivals over Central American comfort food. Beto’s is also a reminder about the rapidly changing demographics of this town.