Gloucester County Democrats Stick with Status Quo

The Gloucester County Democratic Committee (GCDC) has endorsed the full slate of incumbents, from freeholders on up to the United States Senate, for reelection in November, GCDC chair Fred Madden announced in a release Wednesday.

With two freeholder seats and the sheriff's, county clerk's and surrogate's positions all open this year, the GCDC put its weight behind all the current officeholders, endorsing Robert Damminger and Giuseppe (Joe) Chila for freeholder, Carmel Morina for sheriff, James Hogan for clerk, and Helene Reed for surrogate.

Madden heaped praise on the party’s candidates, and said their records speak volumes.

“There are no harder workers for the people of Gloucester County than the members of our county team, each of whom has reduced their budgets while enhancing services,” Madden said.

Damminger, a West Deptford resident, said he’s honored to be asked to run again.

“Joe Chila and I work every day to keep taxes and spending down, to create jobs and affordable educational opportunities, and to create a place for our families to live, work and retire with pride,” Damminger said.

The GCDC also endorsed Rob Andrews for reelection to Congress, and Robert Menendez for reelection to the United States Senate.

On the local level, West Deptford Democratic chair Gerald White has said Denice DiCarlo will have the chance to run for the expiring seat she currently holds.

The Republicans have not identified their slates at the county or local level as yet. Wednesday was the deadline for interested county candidates to submit their information to the county party, and the local party has said they're not announcing their candidate for township committee yet.

Several sources have indicated Jeff Hansen, the current chair of the RiverWinds advisory board, is one of the most likely candidates to run for township committee on the Republican side.

The filing deadline for candidates ahead of this year's primary is April 2.