Ocean City Elections

The May 14 municipal election who will fill seats from each of Ocean City’s four wards and who will complete an unexpired term for one at-large seat. After careful consideration, FOCUS has endorsed the candidates bolded in green. Read more about each endorsed candidate below.

The candidates who will be on the ballot in the May 14 election include the following:

First Ward: Terry Crowley Jr. (unopposed)

Second Ward: Paul Stryker and Keith Hartzell

Third Ward: Amie Vaules and Jody Levchuk

Fourth Ward: Dave Winslow and Cecelia Gallelli-Keyes

At-Large: Sean Barnes and Michael DeVlieger

The Ocean City’s wards are broken down as follows:

• First Ward: Longport Bridge to north side of Fourth Street

• Second Ward: South side of Fourth Street to north side of 12th Street

• Third Ward: South side of 12th Street to north side of 26th Street

• Fourth Ward: South side of 26th Street to 59th Street (including Ocean Reef)

See map of Ocean City’s wards and voting districts.

First Ward: Terry Crowley Jr.

Who: Terry is an account executive with the pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson who lives in the First Ward with his wife, Jen. Their two sons attended Ocean City schools. He was appointed to City Council in 2021 when First Ward Councilman Mike DeVlieger stepped down, and he won a special election a few months later to complete DeVlieger’s unexpired term. He is running unopposed.

Why: Crowley is an independent voice on City Council and a strong advocate for the First Ward and for all Ocean City residents.

In his own words: “I do not accept financial support from any individual or organization. My focus is solely on serving the community and making decisions that align with the best interests of the First Ward and Ocean City residents. By remaining independent from financial influences, I can ensure that my decisions are guided solely by the principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability.”

Second Ward: Paul Stryker

Who: As long-time manager of Arlene’s Restaurant on downtown Asbury Avenue, Paul is intimately familiar with the Second Ward, its economy, its people and its issues. He and his wife, Arlene, have lived in the ward for more than 30 years and raised their three children there. Arlene and Paul hosted a fundraiser for 20 years in memory of her son Charles Knox, who passed away tragically in 1998 in a car crash. The Charles Knox Comedy Night raised more than $200,000 dedicated to a scholarship fund for Ocean City students.

Why: FOCUS believes the Second Ward is more in need of a new honest voice, than a candidate who had served on City Council for 16 years before an unsuccessful mayoral campaign in 2022.

In his own words: “Our roots in Ocean City are deep and thank the Lord our children have decided to keep Ocean City part of the family tree for a least another generation. That was the final piece of the puzzle that convinced me that now was the time to enter city service to ensure that Ocean City is a safe, clean and FAMILY-oriented community for many years into the future.”

Third Ward: Amie Vaules

Who: Amie is a business owner, mother of two children educated in the Ocean City School District and participating in local sports programs, boater and fisherwoman, and organizer of the Memorial Beach Challenge, a major fundraiser for veterans and their families. She and her husband, Mike, met in Ocean City 27 years ago and have raised their children in the Third Ward.

Why: Amie has a broad base of experience and skills that would serve Third Ward residents well. She is free of conflicts of interest and alliances, and she would be committed to protecting the interests of residents and taxpayers.

In her own words: “My strong commitment to service revolves around the core principles of community, character, compassion, and competence.”

Fourth Ward: Dave Winslow

Who: A resident of Ocean City for 47 years and a retired human resources executive in the private sector, Dave has served Ocean City as a two-term member of the Ocean City Board of Education, chairman of the Night in Venice Committee, member of the Ocean City Free Public Library Board of Trustees, and volunteer with his church vestry, the C-Cerpants swim team and Boy Scouts. He and his wife, Kathleen, raised three sons in town, all who became Eagle Scouts.

Why: With the recommendation of Bobby Barr, who stepped down to become a county commissioner, Dave joined City Council as Fourth Ward representative and made an immediate impact. He puts in a lot of work in researching all issues before Council. He’s a strong advocate for all Fourth Ward issues and for all Ocean City taxpayers. He’s a voice of reason and brings seasoned professional experience to the table. We see no possible benefit to the Fourth Ward by making a change.

In his own words: “I would humbly ask for your vote on May 14, so I can continue to effectively and passionately represent the residents of the 4th Ward and make it an even better place to live,  while preserving the ideals and character that make Ocean City such a great place to live, now and for future generations.”

At-Large: Sean Barnes

Who: Sean and his twin brother, Kevin, are lifelong residents of Ocean City. Sean graduated from Ocean City High School and went on to earn a business degree from Richard Stockton College and a master’s degree in real estate finance and investment from NYU. He is the director of a company that helps create affordable housing opportunities across the country. He’s also a Coast Guard-licensed boat captain and owner of a local sailing charter business. He’s a lifelong parishioner, Eucharistic minister, lector and musician in Ocean City’s St. Damien Parish. He’s president of Snug Harbor Association, a homeowners’ group for a lagoon neighborhood in the Second Ward.

Why: We’ve watched Sean – without the benefit of a public pulpit – effectively advocate for his neighbors and fellow Ocean City residents by sparking the restart of the town’s bayside dredging program and by negotiating a settlement for land taken during a state road project. In Sean, we see a candidate who can back up his words not only with actions , but with actions that achieve results.

In his own words: “I am running for Ocean City Councilman at Large because it is time that we bring new energy, vision, and common sense to our city government. As a lifelong resident, I care deeply about our community; I will bring new energy and support new ideas that allow Ocean City to remain a vibrant, safe and welcoming community for all of our residents and visitors! I will also bring a clear understanding of who I work for - THE RESIDENTS OF OCEAN CITY!”