Doctor Joins Democratic Ticket as Fellow Candidate Resigns

Dr. Ayesha Chaudhary will join the Democratic ticket with Ryan Urgo and David Goldstein in their election bid for the Manalapan Township Committee as Carmen Roque has decided to drop out of the race. 

Chaudhary is a Medical Doctor, practicing at Centrastate Medical Center in Freehold Township. Along with Urgo and Goldstein, she has pledged to bring new ethical leadership to the Manalapan Township Committee.

Citing the much publicized land deal that awarded outgoing then Mayor Andrew Lucas $1.2 million in “farmland preservation” grants, Dr. Chaudhary stated, “The Republican Committee Members who approved this shady deal must be held accountable for their actions. As a doctor and a mother of four, I believe in the importance of ethics and personal integrity.”

In 2010, Republican Mayor Andrew Lucas purchased a piece of property in Manalapan and, just weeks later, filed for a taxpayer funded grant from the state. After approval from the Republican-controlled Manalapan Township Committee and the Republican-controlled Monmouth County Freeholder Board, Lucas was awarded $1.2 million in “farmland preservation” money in March of 2013. The Monmouth County Superior Court has approved an investigation regarding the matter. Mayor Lucas decided not to seek re-election this year.

Chaudhary also voiced concerns about public safety. “I have been talking to residents and they don’t feel as safe now as they did a few years ago. We need to add more police presence to neighborhoods that have seen sharp spikes in car and home break-ins.” Since 2004, the police force has been reduced by 25% despite substantial population growth in Manalapan.

Chaudhary has lived in Manalapan for about 10 years. For her outstanding work as a medical doctor, Ayesha was recognized with the Health Care Hero Award from Capital Health Systems in both 2010 and 2011. She has been a member of the Wemrock Brook PTA for 6 years. She and her husband Asim have four children, ages 16, 12, 9 and 7.

The opening was created following the recent resignation of fellow candidate Carmen Roque, who exited the race in order to focus on new work responsibilities. With three of the five seats on the Township Committee up for grabs, majority control for the Manalapan’s local government is at stake.

--Manalapan Democratic Committee