Ex-Montville police chief switches parties, files to run as Democrat

It's not the first time he's switched parties - A former longtime police chief's switch from Republican to Democrat means township voters will likely find pairs of Democrats and Republicans seeking two open township committee seats in November balloting.  But there won't be a contest in the party primaries on June 3.

Carl DeBacco, township police chief for 13 years, changed his party on March 31 before filing a petition on Tuesday to appear on the Democratic primary ballot, said Morris County Clerk Joan Bramhall.  In 1988, DeBacco switched to the Republican side, filing his first party affiliation change before the primary of that year, according to county records.  DeBacco is a longtime Pine Brook resident, who will be on the June and November ballots with fellow Democrat Mike O'Brien. 

Mayor Deborah Nielson and Deputy Mayor Jim Sandham will fill the Republican slate, seeking their second consecutive terms on the township committee.  See Daily Record.

Comments

[John Street]

Carl is just running so he can get Lows approved for his buddy Renay from GI Auto. He could care less about his neihborhood.

[Dan Grant]

If the above poster were right then Carl Debacco would have filed as a Republican. They are the party in power and the pro-developement party. They presently are busy reviewing changes of zoning requests to zones of greater development. The issue of GI and it's use is presently before the Board of Adjustment and that decision should be done long before the General Election. It should also be noted that Carl served the Community as a police officer and worked his way through the ranks, taking off time to serve in Viet Nam, until he became Chief. In his capacity as both a police officer and Chief and as a private Citizen he has contributed a great deal of time to helping Montville Township and our residents.
Dan Grant