Four municipal politicians are vying for an open Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders seat.

Holmdel Deputy Mayor Serena DiMaso, Atlantic Highlands Councilman Peter T. Doyle, Manalapan Township Committeeman Ryan Green and Howell Mayor Robert F. Walsh, are competing for the position according to the Monmouth County Affiliated Republican Club website.

A vacancy has been created by the impending departure of county Freeholder Director Robert D. Clifton, who has been elected to the state Assembly with one year left in his term.

Special elections to replace a Freeholder candidate “don’t happen that often,” said Wayne Pomanowksi, the president of the county Affiliated Republican Club.

On Saturday, Jan. 14 at Colts Neck High School, Republican representatives of Monmouth County’s voting districts, in 52 municipalities, will be called to cast ballots. The vote is tabulated on the spot and a winner is declared. The swearing-in is held the following week.

County Republican Committee members will select a candidate who will both replace Clifton on the Freeholder board and run for a full term in the 2013 election.

The winner will be required to give up their municipal office to join the all-Republican Freeholder Board.

On Friday, Jan. 13, all four will speak at a "Meet the Candidates Night" at Doolan's Shore Club in Spring Lake Heights.