A Wednesday vote by the township Republican Committee endorsed two challengers over the incumbents for Township Committee, setting up a local primary fight. According to the Press of Atlantic City, at a meeting at the township Senior Center, members of the GOP committee backed cousins Zack and Samuel Palombo over Mayor Jay Newman and Committee member Kim Hayes for the nomination. Zack Palombo is the son of longtime Mayor Rich Palombo, and Samuel Palombo is his nephew. Rich Palombo spent more than 20 years as mayor, which in Upper Township is a position appointed by the members of the Township Committee each year. He decided not to seek another term on committee in 2020.