TOMS RIVER, NJ – An increasingly ugly battle between accounting firm chieftain Frank Holman and engineering firm leader Frank Sadeghi for control of George Gilmore’s Ocean County GOP machine took another turn on Wednesday when the county’s top local and state officials through in behind Holman.
The endorsers – led by politically powerful Gilmore ally Joseph Buckelew of Conner Strong & Buckelew and acting OCGOP Chairwoman Barbara Lanuto – released a signed letter confirming their belief that Holman is the party’s best bet following Gilmore’s conviction on felony tax-related charges:
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“Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Democrats are convinced, that the strongest and most important Republican County organization in the state, is in disarray and about to collapse. As a result, it is of the upmost importance that all Ocean County Republicans quickly unite behind a new Chairperson to lead us forward. Now is not the time to show weakness or division.
We believe that person is Frank Holman. Frank has a record of service to our organization that is second to none. We recognize that our next Chairperson must be experienced and ready to do battle on every front over the next few years, from local municipal races to the President’s re- election effort in 2020. We intend to unite behind Frank Holman and urge you to do the same.”
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The list includes five freeholders, five Assembly members, and three state senators as well as the county’s surrogate clerk and the sheriff.
You can see the full letter here.
Gilmore resigned his post one week ago.
The county committee vote is scheduled for May 15th.
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