Claire Swift of Margate is running for NJ General Assembly District 2.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
The Atlantic County Democrats and Republicans held their conventions over the weekend and endorsed candidates for state and county elections. Both parties will face challenges from candidates not awarded the party line.
The Atlantic County Republican Committee held its annual convention Saturday, March 20 at the Scullville Volunteer Fire Department in Egg Harbor Township.
The convention endorsed the following candidates:
- Governor – Jack Ciattarelli
- Senate (District 2) – Vince Polistina
- General Assembly (District 2) – Don Guardian and Claire Swift
- Atlantic County Clerk – Joe Geralo
- Atlantic County Commissioner-at-large – Frank X. Balles (incumbent)
- Atlantic County Commissioner (District 2) – Maureen Kern (incumbent)
- Atlantic County Commissioner (District 5) – James Bertino (incumbent)
Chairman Keith Davis said the party will bring back fiscal responsibility, reopen schools safely and help businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The political “fly in the ointment” is Seth Grossman, who will continue to challenge Polistina in the primary. Grossman did not petition for support from the party during the convention, and instead, will go it alone.
The 46th annual Atlantic County Democratic Committee Convention was held virtually on Sunday, March 21.
“Despite the challenges of COVID-19, we still had a stellar virtual convention,” Chairman Michael Suleiman said. “Our members are fired up and ready to elect Democrats up and down the ballot this fall.”
Suleiman said 212 delegates voted in the virtual convention, and more than 240 active Democrats watched it online. The Democrats endorsed the following candidates:
- Governor – Phil Murphy
- State Senate (District 2) – Vince Mazzeo
- General Assembly (District 2) – John Armato (incumbent) and Caren Fitzpatrick
- Atlantic County Clerk – Lisa Jiampetti
- Atlantic County Commissioner-at-Large – Celeste Fernandez
- Atlantic County Commissioner (District 2) – Jelani Gandy
- Atlantic County Commissioner (District 5) – Bill Beyers
Although Jiampetti received the “party line” vote, Mico Lucide, who also sought the committee’s endorsement for Atlantic County Clerk, said he would continue to campaign for the position.
“While my decision to continue through the primary may frustrate some who voted today, my campaign’s message continues to resonate with voters who are frustrated with establishment politics and our skewed ballot design,” he said.
He also said he would avoid speaking negatively about Jiampetti during the campaign.
Any candidates interested in running in the June 6 primary have until April 5 to submit a nominating petition.
Voters have until May 18 to register to vote in the primary.
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