County Republican Chairman Mike Donohue Reflects On Election Results

Now that the election returns are official, there are some important things to take away from the results.
Congressman Frank LoBiondo and County Clerk Rita Fulginiti were a tremendous draw at the top of the ticket and undoubtedly had coattails for candidates down the line.
Most significantly, Republican Freeholder candidates Jerry Thornton and Sue Sheppard scored an unprecedented victory in a contested race. Thornton and Sheppard outpolled their opponents head-to-head by a margin of 70 percent – 30 percent. Thornton and Sheppard won all 16 Cape May County municipalities. The Thornton-Sheppard juggernaut captured 126 out of 128 of the County’s voting districts. Clearly, the Thornton-Sheppard message of smaller, more responsive government resonated with the voters. Though their opponents hammered away with negative press releases and television ads, Thornton and Sheppard’s direct contact with the voters was more powerful. Jerry and Sue visited thousands of Cape May County voter’s homes and spoke with thousands more at shopping centers throughout the County. It is clear that the voters handed Jerry Thornton and Sue Sheppard a resounding mandate on November 2, 2010.
Locally, the Cape GOP’s assistance led to significant victories for a new generation of Republican leaders for Cape May County.
In Lower Township’s Ward One, incumbent young Republican Tom Conrad trounced a well financed opponent who was fiercely backed by the Independent Mayor and the Democrats. Conrad’s victory represents a return to a Republican majority on the Lower Township Council.
In North Wildwood, in addition to electing Peggy Bishop in Ward One, the Cape GOP was instrumental in helping elect young Republican Sal Zampiri to Council in Ward Two.
In Dennis Township, the last Cape May County Municipality with an all-Democrat governing body, Republican Eugene Glembocki took a seat in Democratic Senator Jeff Van Drew’s home town.
Together with Sue Sheppard, Conrad, Zampiri and Glembocki represent a trend to a new generation of Republican leadership that includes Committeeman Dan Lockwood in Middle Township, Committee members Kristine Gabor and Frank Conrad in Upper Township, Deputy Mayor Kevin Lare and Councilman Eric Simonsen in Lower Township, Council President Patrick Rosenello in North Wildwood, Commissioner Don Cabrera in Wildwood Crest and Cape May County Republican Chairman Mike Donohue. This new generation of Republican leadership, when teamed up with the vast experience of our great, veteran Republican officials, bodes well for the future success of the Party.
The Cape GOP has tremendous momentum heading into next year’s Legislative, Freeholder and local elections. The Cape May County Regular Republican Organization will soon be launching a new website, conducting candidate recruitment and expanding the Jersey Cape Republicans, the grassroots movement that began in the Spring of 2010.
“Election Night 2010 could not have gone any better,” said Republican Chairman Mike Donohue. “Everywhere that the Cape May County Regular Republican Organization identified an opportunity for success, we joined with local grassroots organizers to bring about elector victories for the Cape GOP. We will continue to push every day to carry this Movement forward. The traditional Republican message of smaller government, lower taxes and supporting private enterprise to create jobs in alive and well. Our task now is to never forget it; to be the watchdog of our own elected officials to ensure that they adhere to our core principles. With Gov. Chris Christie at the head of our Party in New Jersey and a new generation of Republican leadership coming to the fore, the future has never been so bright for the Grand Ol’ Party.”