Reporting

The Oceanport Planning Board on March 10 held an advisory “courtesy review” of updated redevelopment plans for Monmouth Park, including Phase II youth sports fields and an expanded residential component.

Board counsel and project representatives said the agenda item was not an application hearing and the board had no authority to approve or deny it. Counsel described it as a state-agency presentation required under New Jersey law when a governmental or state agency is using public funds and appears before the planning board for recommendations. In the meeting, attorney Jennifer Phillips Smith said she appeared on behalf of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) and described NJSEA as “the state entity that owns the” property.

The discussion also previewed issues likely to carry into a broader public forum: multiple speakers referenced a presentation to Oceanport’s Mayor and Council scheduled for Thursday, March 12. The planning board later voted to send a letter summarizing its comments because its next regular meeting would be after that workshop.

In November 2025, The New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division affirmed that the Monroe Township Board of Education violated the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) when it filled a board vacancy. It also affirmed—as modified—a Law Division order voiding the board’s appointment vote.

The published opinion in Michele Arminio v. Monroe Township Board of Education (Docket No. A-0207-24) addresses what a public body can discuss in a closed executive session during an appointment process—and what must be disclosed and discussed after returning to the public meeting before a vote. The published opinion is here: Arminio v. Monroe Twp. Bd. of Educ. (A-0207-24).

Seven parents have filed a Petition of Appeal with the New Jersey Commissioner of Education challenging Middletown Township Board of Education’s plan to close three schools: Leonardo Elementary School, Navesink Elementary School, and Bayshore Middle School.¹

Beyond the immediate dispute, the filing raises broader transparency and accountability questions in local school governance, particularly regarding reliance on outside consultants and the availability of supporting documentation when major restructuring decisions advance.

The filing asks the Commissioner to void the board’s closure resolution and order interim relief, including directing the district to keep the schools open through the 2026–27 school year, along with additional disclosure and oversight measures.²

Procedurally, the filing begins an administrative appeal with the Commissioner of Education, who has authority to resolve disputes arising under New Jersey’s school laws. The Commissioner may decide the matter directly or refer it to the Office of Administrative Law for a hearing before an administrative law judge. The petition states the parents are seeking administrative review through the Department of Education and, “if necessary,” judicial review in the appellate courts.³

This is not the first time the school district’s operations have been challenged in court in connection with keeping schools open.

Alex Zdan is continuing to gather county endorsements as he seeks the Republican nomination for United States Senate. Recent reporting by the New Jersey Globe states that the Cape May County Regular Republican Organization has endorsed his candidacy. That county joins Burlington, Essex, and Passaic in supporting the former News 12 reporter in his bid to challenge Senator Cory Booker in November.

Zdan previously sought the Senate nomination in 2024. During that campaign he secured several county endorsements before withdrawing after news reports disclosed a prior arrest for DUI and leaving the scene of an accident.

Public reporting and campaign filings indicate that Zdan remained politically active after ending that campaign. During the period between the 2024 race and his current 2026 bid:

• Zdan formed Authentic Leadership for America (ALFA PAC), a political action committee registered with both the Federal Election Commission and the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.
• He joined TV Asia as a political contributor and launched a program titled Inside the Headlines with Alex Zdan.
• Politico reported he briefly explored a congressional run for the seat held by Rep. Herb Conaway (D-NJ-3).
• TAPinto reported he sought consideration for appointment to the Robbinsville Township Council but was not selected.
• Before ultimately entering the 2026 U.S. Senate race.

Federal campaign finance reports and promotional materials associated with ALFA PAC provide additional insight into that period. Together, these records show modest fundraising activity and a series of public events involving Republican officials and conservative advocacy organizations.

Public Record NJ has previously reported on Zdan’s connections within the county party organization in an earlier analysis of the Monmouth County GOP and the disappearing Alex Zdan articles. This article reviews those filings and related public records to document Zdan’s political activity between the end of his 2024 Senate campaign and the start of his 2026 bid.