Councilman Daniel Rodrick has won the Republican primary race for mayor of Toms River, defeating incumbent Mayor Mo Hill in a hard-fought race.

With all districts reporting, Rodrick, a former Democrat, received 45.7% of the vote, or 4,567 of 9,987 total votes cast.

Geri Ambrosio received 2,756 and incumbent Mayor Mo Hill finished a distant third, receiving 2,137 votes, or 21.4%.

There were 20 write-in votes.

In addition to his own victory, Rodrick’s running mates for council were also way ahead in the race for three at-large council seats.

The mayoral race had been heated  and included some controversy, after Mayor Hill sent out campaign fliers which many people considered hateful.

The fliers, which were mailed to Toms River residents last month, includes photos of Mayor Hill and notes a long list of challenges, including inflation, the presidential election and the “threat of global military conflicts.”

The flier then makes an apparent reference to the Jewish people who have been moving to the township, noting there are “people of different cultures fleeing the cities buying up our real estate; attracted by our location and affordability, they are seemingly threatening the way of life that attracts them.”

The flier then pleads with voters to make sure not to “misdirect your anger.”

In a statement Tuesday evening, the Toms River JCC praised the community for turning out to vote in strong numbers, noting that the “Kehila is a strong, vibrant and active voting force.”

“Our community has scored a tremendous win today. Our primary objective was to demonstrate that our Kehila is a strong, vibrant and active voting force. We proved that unequivocally today,” the group said in their statement.

“Irrespective of which candidate ends up in the lead, the victorious party understands that we are here to stay and will use our voice loud and clear, the statement continued, adding that Tuesday’s election results “will lead Bezras Hashem to whichever winning candidate to establish a meaningful relationship with our community and help our Kehila grow and thrive.”

“We’d like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all men and women of our community who worked tirelessly to make this a reality,” the statement concluded.

Rodrick, who lost the primary to Hill four years ago, will face Democrat candidate John Furey, who ran unopposed, in November.

Its not yet clear whom the Jewish community will support in the general election.