Editor’s note: The Herald has lifted the paywall for this important story, providing critical information to readers. To support vital reporting such as this, please consider a digital subscription. To review the election results for Cape May County, please click here.
COURT HOUSE – With Donald Trump claiming a decisive triumph in the presidential race, the CapeGOP wrapped up election night mainly with wins, including in several races where incumbents had no challenger.
One exception to the victory streak was the race for the U.S. Senate, where newcomer Curtis Bashaw, a Republican, unofficially won by 10,000 votes in Cape May County but lost the overall race to Democratic Congressman Andy Kim.
“It was always an uphill race for Curtis,” CapeGOP Chairman Mike Donohue said. “The polls had him losing by 25 points, and he closed it to 9.”
Donohue said that was a good showing for a first-time candidate from Cape May County, considering Bashaw started a million votes behind. He congratulated Bashaw, calling him one of the hardest-working candidates he has ever seen.
“Curtis is also very authentic, and that is something you can’t teach,” Donohue said.
Bashaw was not in Cape May County on election night, but at a celebration in Basking Ridge. In fact, the Republican Party’s election night event at the Bellevue Inn, in Court House, was not like previous elections. Whereas in the past, many county leaders assembled to get the news and hear political speeches, there were virtually none, Tuesday evening, Oct. 5.
Congressman Jeff Van Drew beat challenger Joe Salerno by roughly 14,000 votes in Cape May County and retained his 2nd Congressional District seat. Van Drew appeared at the Bellevue prior to the polls closing and left to address supporters in other locations.
“He’s a strong candidate; a very popular candidate,” Donohue said. “And he works very hard.”
In a press release Tuesday night conceding to Van Drew, Salerno thanked his family and supporters, adding: “The ultimate mark of a strong democracy is to support the will of the voters. While I was naturally working for a different result, I respect the people, the process, and the system that’s vital to this country.”
Donohue said that the 2nd District is larger in area than all of Delaware, and he thought Salerno had a hard time positioning himself as a credible candidate in South Jersey, where Van Drew is well-established. Donohue described Cape May County as being “very provincial,” and said it’s difficult for someone new to come in and make an impression on voters.
Cape May County Board of County Commissioners Director Leonard Desiderio paused his celebration in Sea Isle City, his home base, to come to the Bellevue and make the rounds with the party faithful. He won an uncontested race to keep his seat on the Board of County Commissioners.
“It’s great to be in Cape May County and I’m very excited to be returned to office,” Desiderio told the Herald. “It’s my goal to make Cape May County the best county in New Jersey.”
Desiderio said he would like to continue to work together with all citizens of Cape May County, whether or not they have differences. He said there is always room for differing opinions to be heard.
One entity that has a differing opinion is the DRBA. The county commissioners voted to not automatically renew a ground lease for the Cape May Airport for another 30 years, when it expires in five years. Desiderio said the county wishes to have control of the approximately 1,000 acres it leased to the DRBA for $1 per year, but he would like to hold discussions with the DRBA regarding its continued involvement at the airport.
Another major endeavor, Desiderio said, is the “battle against NJPACT” and the REAL program, which came about as the result of Executive Order 100 issued by Gov. Phil Murphy. The NJDEP commissioned a study that suggested there is a 17% chance of the sea level rising five feet by the year 2100, and it is adjusting building height requirements based on that study. Many in the county feel the data is flawed and don’t believe the NJDEP can county on projections nearly 75 years in the future.
Desiderio said the county would continue to fight against offshore wind projects, as well as expand the county’s housing stock. He said he also hopes to be responsive to calls for more activities for youth, particularly in the winter season. He said he is always hearing about parents who have to take their children to other counties to participate in certain winter sports and activities.
“I would like to see something centrally located where kids from all over the county can participate in winter activities,” Desiderio said.
Quiet Day at the Polls
Most experienced a smooth and easy voting process in Cape May County this Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Winding lines that made headlines elsewhere in the state and in nearby Pennsylvania were nowhere to be seen at the nine polling locations in Cape May County that the Herald visited.
At each, voters were able to walk right in the door, there was parking readily available and there were no signs of any inappropriate campaigning or other obvious red flags regarding the integrity of the process. Some locations did show a bit of a late hit, with some uptick in traffic after business hours. Polls close at 8 p.m. across the state.
With many taking advantage of early voting, it is difficult to gauge the overall turnout in the county based on what could be seen at the polls Tuesday. But for those who wanted to cast their vote the old-fashioned way, the process was quick and efficient.
The unseasonably warm temperatures also uplifted individuals’ spirits and helped some local businesses with more people than usual out and about. On Cape May’s Washington Street Mall, just a half-block from a polling location in the Parish Hall behind Our Lady of the Sea Catholic Church, one bench was occupied by two strangers, using the time afforded to them by not having to wait in line to take in the high-60s temperatures.
They chatted back and forth, parroting different talking points from the two campaigns, arguing back and forth even though matching “I Voted” stickers indicated it was too late for any further persuasion.
Still, the temperature of the conversation rose as they rattled through the different topics, and for a second, one could almost sense some tension building. But then it was suddenly cut with a knife.
They found something they could agree on.
“At least we won’t be getting any more of those text messages,” one of the two men said.
Trump Merchandise Store
The Trump merchandise store, on Main Street in Court House, was open for business Tuesday, ready to sell hats, T-shirts, magnets, flags, and a book titled, “Fact or Fake News,” by Brian McDowell, the store’s owner.
McDowell’s claim to fame was being on The Apprentice in 2005. The appearance inspired McDowell to head up the Trump campaign in Cape May County in 2016 and he has been a Trump supporter ever since.
Gary Weyhmiller, who was working McDowell’s Trump merchandise store, said some people had come in looking for last minute items to wear to election night gatherings.
“We were busy today, but not overly,” Weyhmiller said at around 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Otherwise, he said business has been steady considering there were three locations for merchandise. He said he would generally ask people when they stopped in where they came from, and there were many from the local area or visitors from out of town.
Shay Roddy contributed to this report. To reach Christopher South, email csouth@cmcherald.com or call (609) 886-8600.
