A 93-year-old World War II veteran proved no one is ever too old for a new career by beating out an incumbent New Jersey mayor who was seeking re-election on Tuesday.
Not one to stray from challenges, Tinton Falls mayor-elect Vito Perillo noted high taxes and lack of transparency as the main reasons for entering the mayoral race four months ago. And he didn’t let his age stop him from entering the fray.
“I like for people to see that as old as I am, you can still do and accomplish things,” Perillo told News 4.
However, the navy veteran was faced with the additional task of beating incumbent Gerald Turning, who had a long history serving the town.
Tinton Falls resident Maria Lapadula said, “I was surprised. I thought Turning would win. He was the police commissioner, the administrator and then he was mayor – Vito is the new guy.”
Aware of this, Perillo decided on grassroots efforts – going door-to-door, shaking hands, and getting to know his town folk – to aid his campaign, even wearing out the soles of his favorite shoes.
He did, however, have the support of his family from the very beginning. Michael Perillo, who helped him create a Facebook page, said he never doubted his grandfather’s chances.
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“I thought he was going to win,” he said. “He’s been a winner and a fighter all of his life.”
In the end, his grandson was right. Perillo won with a total of 2,449 votes, which accounted for more than 53 percent of the vote.
Perillo says his win hasn’t hit home yet, but his focus will be on lowering taxes, transparency and accountability once he’s sworn into office on Jan. 2.
“I think I can do pretty good,” he said.
