Overview

David Ciccozzi is a Republican municipal official and property management business owner who has represented Ward 4 on the Toms River Township Council since 2022. A lifelong resident of Toms River, he has built a career in real estate and property management while maintaining deep roots in the community.

Prior to his election to the council, Ciccozzi served on the Toms River Planning Board, where he gained experience in land use regulation and municipal governance. As a widower who raised three children in Toms River, he has emphasized family values and community preservation in his legislative priorities. He owns and operates a self-employed property management business, which he cites as giving him unique insight into challenges facing local businesses and homeowners.

His tenure on the council has been marked by significant policy achievements and political conflict. In his first term, he secured preservation of nearly 60 acres of open space and maintained flat municipal tax rates. In January 2026, he was unanimously selected by his council colleagues to serve as Council President, placing him in direct opposition to Mayor Daniel Rodrick's administration on numerous policy fronts. As Council President, he has championed expanded public comment periods, stricter meeting decorum rules, and aggressive oversight of the administration's housing and development policies.

Political Career

Member, Toms River Planning Board (prior to 2022)

Councilman, Toms River Township Council, Ward 4 (2022–present)

Council President, Toms River Township Council (January 1, 2026–present)

Key Policy Areas

Open space preservation and land conservation

Municipal fiscal restraint and tax stabilization

Code enforcement and anti-overdevelopment initiatives

Public safety and first responder staffing

Government transparency and meeting accessibility

Opposition to high-density affordable housing mandates

Notable Actions / Initiatives

Preserved nearly 60 acres of open space during first two years in office, securing township's largest conservation achievements in recent history

Delivered flat municipal tax rate every year since taking office in 2021, with no tax increases at township level

Spearheaded council adoption of new meeting rules in January 2026

Led bipartisan council majority opposition to Mayor Rodrick's affordable housing plan in March 2026

Opposed administration's use of eminent domain to seize Christ Episcopal Church (established 1865) for pickleball court development, calling it "abuse of government power" and "hallowed ground" containing memorial garden for 300 individuals

Restored council meeting schedule to twice monthly (from once monthly) and established new ethics board in January 2026

Criticized administration's closure of Toms River Animal Shelter and elimination of animal control officers, advocating for restoration of township-sourced animal control funded through licensing fees

Education

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing, Saint Joseph's University (1979)

Personal

Birth date: October 29, 1956

Residence: Toms River, New Jersey

Occupation: Self-employed business owner; property management