Republicans Take Assembly Seat & Score Other Big Wins

Thanks to the efforts of the CapeGOP’s team of volunteers, party leaders and elected officials, and their counterparts in Cumberland and Atlantic counties, Republicans pulled off the biggest upsets of the 2013 Election Cycle after nearly a decade of disappointment in legislative races in New Jersey’s First Legislative District. Assemblyman-elect Sam Fiocchi carried a 5 point margin of victory out of Cape May County, prevailed in Atlantic County and kept it a close race in Cumberland County to knock off four-term Democratic incumbent Nelson Albano. Fiocchi and his running mate, Kristine Gabor, both beat Albano and his running mate Bob Andrzejczak in Cape May and Atlantic Counties. It was a close race all around with Democrat Bob Andrzejczak capturing 27% of the district-wide vote, Sam Fiocchi taking 25%, Kristine Gabor pulling in 24% and Albano with 24%.
“We have been at this for a long time and we have finally broken through,” said CapeGOP Chairman Mike Donohue.
“District One looks like it has produced the only Republican legislative pick up of 2013. We were outspent by about 6 to 1. Despite that fact, we managed to capture an Assembly seat for Sam Fiocchi. Kristine Gabor was in the hunt as well, with only 3 points separating her from the top vote getter. This was a breakthrough election for us. The Democrat Super PAC and Democrat Legislative campaign threw millions of dollars in false and misleading ads at our candidates. This was like navigating a typhoon on a surfboard. At the end, Sam Fiocchi was still standing and headed for the Statehouse.”
Cape May County also delivered one of the largest margins of victory in the state for Governor Chris Christie. The Governor captured over 71% of the vote in Cape May County.
“It was a big night for Governor Christie,” Donohue said. “While we had a few local losses, I don’t think there is any doubt that having the Governor at the top of the ticket helped get voters to the polls. The win is a testament to the power of Governor Christie’s forthright style of politics and his ability to engage in good old-fashioned consensus building with the legislative branch. It was obvious on Election Night that the people of New Jersey are proud of their Governor.”
In Lower Township, Republican Ward 3 Council candidate Erik Simonsen scored a huge victory, capturing 62 percent of the vote in a four way race. After coming up just short in his run for Mayor last year, Simonsen capitalized on the vacancy in Ward 3 to take the seat and join Ward 1 Republican Tom Conrad on the five member body. Simonsen leads the Lower Township Republicans into the critical 2014 Ward races with a head of steam and control on the line.
Freeholder Director Jerry Thornton was reelected last night. His running mate, Marie Hayes, who was chosen by the CapeGOP to complete the term of Susan Sheppard who became the County Surrogate, won her own three-year term on the Freeholder Board.
Chairman Donohue said, “Having Jerry Thornton on the ballot was a boon to all of our other candidates, and especially helped pull voters to the line for our legislative candidates. It was a little different run this time around compared to 2010, but Jerry earned it and the voters responded. Marie Hayes has now also been given the overwhelming support of the voters of Cape May County and starts her full three-year term with a year of experience already under her belt. Jerry and Marie will rejoin Republicans Kristine Gabor, Will Morey and Vice Director Len Desiderio on the Freeholder Board.”
Republican candidates did well on Election night, including: Patrick Rosenello elected Mayor of North Wildwood. Peggy Bishop holds off challenger in North Wildwood Ward 1 – takes 82% of the vote. Ed Kohler reelected to at-large seat in North Wildwood. Sal Zampiri retains Ward 2 seat in North Wildwood. Barry Mastrangelo and Al Carusi reelected to Stone Harbor Council. Mayor Carl Groon and Deputy Mayor Don Cabrera retain their seats in Wildwood Crest. Ed Ortiz elected in Woodbine.
“Though we let go of a couple of seats in Upper and Dennis, we know you can’t win them all,” Donohue said. “We’ve made a lot of history since the new CapeGOP took to the arena in 2010. We got Republicans elected in places they had not been successful in decades. We nominated the first woman ever to run for State Senate in District One. We nominated the first African American woman ever to run in Middle Township. It is not always just about winning, it’s about pioneering and adding diversity to our party. There will be elections every year and we will keep recruiting good candidates and fighting the good fight. With Sam Fiocchi’s stunning win over Nelson Albano and our big pick up in Lower Township, numerous county and local wins, on top of Governor Christie’s landslide victory, it was a very good night for the CapeGOP.”
Ordered and paid for by Cape May County Regular Republican Organization, 3200 Pacific Avenue, Suite 200, Wildwood, NJ 08260.