Atlantic County Republican Chairman Don Purdy is challenging long-time Christie ally and ardent Never-Trumper Bill Palatucci to serve as NJGOP National Committeeman. He’s running with Somerset County Republican State Committeewoman Janice Fields who wants to take on the role of National Committeewoman long held by Ocean County’s Ginny Haines.
“Our New Jersey delegation needs to head into Milwaukee united behind President Trump and focused on one thing, WINNING in November,” said Purdy. “There’s just too much at stake for the future of our state and the future of our country for us to be fighting amongst each other instead of with Biden and the Democrats – that’s the message Janice and I have been hearing from everyone we talk to.”
In addition to serving as chairman of the Atlantic GOP organization, Purdy (a former Galloway mayor) operates multiple small businesses in the South Jersey region. He succeeded then-ACGOP Chairman Keith Davis in 2022 and has scored multiple electoral victories since his ascension.
“Don and I both served as Mayor of our respective hometownsso we know what it’s like to go out there and put your name on the ballot,” Fields, a Bernards Township Committeewoman added. “We know what our candidates up and down the ballot need to be successful and will do everything we can to work with Chairman Whatley & Co-Chairwoman Trump to secure the resources necessary to make it happen.”
Palatucci, who served as White House Transition Coordinator as well as General Counsel in 2016 until Chris Christie and the incoming POTUS famously experienced a falling out, has become an increasingly divisive figure in state Republican politics as Christie’s star faded in Republican circles. More recently, Palatucci’s viscerally anti-Trump positions and the RNC’s decision to strip New Jersey of most of its 2024 convention delegates have led to criticism among chairmen and committee members who believe Palatucci’s attacks on Trump have inhibited his ability to effectively represent the state party.
The New Jersey Republican State Committee’s By-Laws and Republican National Committee’s Rule provide that the election of national committee members should take place prior to the RNC Convention in Wisconsin this July.
