Atlantic City Councilman switches parties, joins GOP

The Republican Party continues to grow in South Jersey.

On Friday, Atlantic County Republican Chairman Don Purdy announced that Atlantic City Councilman At-Large George Tibbitt is now officially a Republican.

“We’re only a few days into the new year and Atlantic County Republicans are already making history by adding a historic third Republican on the Atlantic City Council ,” said Purdy. “As a small businessman and longtime advocate of gun owners and veterans, Councilman Tibbitt has long been one of the lone voices of reason within the Democrat Party in Atlantic City. George has also been an unapologetic supporter of President Trump and Congressman Van Drew so we’re excited to see him follow in their footsteps and welcome him with open arms as we have thousands of others committed to standing up for Atlantic County and our conservative values over the last few years.”

“I can’t thank Chairman Purdy, Congressman Van Drew, and everyone else for their support throughout this process and welcoming me back home to the Republican Party – I already feel more at home than I have in years,” added Tibbitt. “I could no longer be part of a woke party hellbent on defunding the police and destroying the city I love so much. With President Trump back in the White House, America is going to be a global powerhouse again and I believe that with all of us working together we can do the same here in Atlantic City and Atlantic County.”

Purdy credited Congressman Jeff Van Drew (R, NJ-02), himself a former Democrat, for assisting in facilitating Tibbett’s party switch. Since Election Day 2020, Atlantic County itself has gone from an 18,000 Democrat registration advantage to 9,000 today. Van Drew’s district – of which Atlantic is a big part – swung from a 20,000+ Democrat edge to a 20,000 Republican advantage.

”Five years ago I stood with President Trump, a former Democrat himself, in the oval office and made the same decision as Councilman Tibbitt, because the Democrat party that once was is no more,” said United States Congressman Jeff Van Drew. “As I’ve told George many times it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I look forward to continuing our work together to defeat offshore wind, reform the broken Atlantic City Housing Authority, and make Atlantic City as clean and safe as we possibly can for all who live, work, or come to visit.”

Atlantic City now has three GOP council members including Jesse Kurtz of the 6th Ward and Maria  of the 5th; the new split is 6-3 Democrat.

Matt Rooney
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MATT ROONEY is SaveJersey.com's founder and editor-in-chief, a practicing New Jersey attorney, and the host of 'The Matt Rooney Show' on 1210 WPHT every Sunday evening from 7-10PM EST.