Politics & Government

Republicans Select Miller Ryan to Run on Ticket

At-large councilwoman will appear on the Wayne Regular Republican Organization's ticket in the June primary. It was rumored she might have been dropped from the ticket.

Councilwoman at-large Lonni Miller Ryan will be on the Wayne regular Republican Organization’s (WRRO) ticket for the primary election in June.

Miller Ryan received 43 votes from the WRRO’s committee at a meeting Tuesday night at the Grand Chalet, the third most votes cast.  There was speculation that Deborah Ciambrone would replace Miller Ryan on the ticket.

“Lonni Miller Ryan has done a fantastic job for the town,” said Michael Marotta, municipal chairman of the WRRO. “How could you want to remove her?”

Find out what's happening in Waynewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Miller Ryan’s local political future seemed to be in doubt recently when rumors swirled that she might not receive enough votes to run for re-election on the WRRO’s ticket.

“I’m thankful for the support of the county committee,” Miller Ryan said. “I’m passionate about serving the people of this town and I’m grateful that the committee has chosen me to represent them on their line for re-election.”  

Find out what's happening in Waynewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Seventy of the committee’s 82 members attended the meeting.

All three at-large incumbent council members were elected to the ticket. James Jimenez received 47 votes and Joseph Schweighardt received 39.

Vergano, who is seeking his second term, received 49 votes. He did not respond to an email message seeking comment.

Ciambrone lost her seat on the county freeholder board in November. She received 36 votes.

Joseph Bubba Jr., founder of the Wayne Republican Organization for the People, received 10 votes.

Miller Ryan was appointed to fill an at-large council seat in June 2010. She defeated Democrat Bill Brennan for a three-year term that November. She is a legislative aide to Assemblyman Scott Rumana.

“She does more as a councilperson that a lot of folks who I’ve seen serve in various offices throughout the state,” Rumana said.

— Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Daniel Hubbard at Daniel.Hubbard@patch.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here