UPDATE: Chairman says he never endorsed Guadagno as more names drop

Advocates of Kim Guadagno dropped an endorsement list on Tuesday and a second on Wednesday, seemingly laying the groundwork for an establishment-backed 2017 gubernatorial candidacy.

A possible complication? At least one prominent member of Tuesday’s list says he was never asked about the inclusion of his name.

He’s still undecided.

Jim Philbin“It has come to my attention that a press release was issued in which I was named as the Gloucester County GOP Chair and was among a group of leaders supporting the potential candidacy of Lt. Governor Guadagno for the office of Governor,” explained Gloucester County GOP Chairman Jim Philbin in a statement obtained by Save Jersey. “As the Deputy Mayor of East Greenwich and the newly elected County Chair, I am certainly in a position to thank the Lt. Governor for her active involvement in issues impacting our County and Municipalities and to make the observation she has been an effective advocate.  However, I feel compelled to note that I was not asked for my endorsement and frankly believe we are too early in the process to make one appropriate. ”

“Once the candidates have been formalized, I intend to make myself available and listen to what they may have to offer the State in general, and Gloucester County in particular,” Philbin continued. “Once that process is complete I will communicate an endorsement on behalf of the County as a whole.”

Wednesday’s purported list of GOP Guadagno boosters added six more names to the mix:

Senator Sam Thompson (LD-12)
Hudson County GOP Chairman Jose Arango (Chair of the County Chairs)
Warren County GOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt
Ocean County GOP State Committeewoman Ginny Haines
Cape May County GOP State Committeewoman Lynda Pagliughi
Monmouth County GOP State Committeewoman Mary Pat Angelini

Save Jersey has received as-of-yet unconfirmed reports of at least one more Tuesday list endorsor who was less-than-happy with his allegedly unsolicited inclusion.

We’ve reached out to the anonymous Guadagno backer – RunKimRun2017@gmail.com – for comment on the Philbin statement and will run the response if we get one.

The LG hasn’t yet formally announced her candidacy.

Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, social media activist Joe Rullo and Nutley Township Commissioner Steven L. Rogers have already announced Republican candidacies of their own. Other possible candidates include Assembly GOP Leader Jon Bramnick, Evesham Mayor Randy Brown, State Senator Michael Doherty and veteran SNL comedian Joe Piscopo.

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