EGG HARBOR TWP., N.J. — Republicans are attempting to pivot in one of New Jersey’s largest GOP-controlled towns this cycle.
After long-time Egg Harbor Township Mayor James “Sonny” McCullough and Committeman Frank Finnerty announced their retirement earlier this month, on Thursday, approximately 75 members of the United Republican Club of EHT convened at the Flat Stone Grill and chose its 2018 candidates for two open committee seats: former Atlantic County Sheriff Frank X. Balles and Atlantic City Public Schools educator Andrew Parker III.
Balles and Parker overcame two other candidates — Riaz Rajput and Justin Riggs — in a secret ballot vote.
“I grew up in this township and raised my children here,” said Balles who ran unsuccessfully for State Senate in 2013. “I will work diligently to hold the line on taxes and encourage economic development.”
“These will not be easy shoes to fill however Mayor McCullough has been a great mentor to many of us and I know he will continue to share his wisdom and experience with the candidates and current committee,” added Club President Dennis Kleiner.
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