CAPE MAY – Former Cape May Mayor Clarence “Chuck” Lear has announced he will be a candidate for a council seat in the November elections.
In 2016, Lear unseated long-time mayor Edward Mahaney in part due to controversy surrounding Mahaney’s handling of the police department. Under Mahaney’s leadership, Police Chief Rob Sheehan was demotedand Lear, then a lieutenant in the department, was forced to retire.
In 2020, as a debate concerning a potential new joint public safety building animated city politics, current mayor Zack Mullock defeated Lear’s attempt at reelection as mayor.
In November, four seats on the five-member governing body will be on the ballot. Mullockis the only council member who does not have to stand for reelection in 2022.
Lear and Mullock have had a tense political relationship since they both served on council while Lear was mayor.
