COURT HOUSE – New Jersey Superior Court Judge Michael J. Donohue announced in a March 4 release that he is leaving the bench to return to life as an attorney and into politics.
He began his service on the bench in 2016. His first official act as a Superior Court judge was to administer the oaths of office to Freeholder Vice Director Leonard Desiderio and County Clerk Rita Fulginiti Jan. 6, 2016.
In April 2016, a formal, joint swearing-in ceremony was held at the Historic Courthouse under the supervision of Vicinage 1 Assignment Judge Julio Mendez. The courtroom was filled with black-robed jurists from throughout the district and state. At that time, former Democratic county chairman James Pickering Jr. and Donohue took their oaths.
According to the release, Donohue is the former chairman of the Cape May County Regular Republican Organization and twice a candidate for State Assembly.
” I found it increasingly challenging to essentially forfeit my rights to free speech and freedom of association,” Donohue said. “My friends on the bench who make this sacrifice every day to dispense justice for all of us deserve tremendous praise.”
Donohue served in the Criminal Court for several years before going to the Family Court for the past several months.
“Witnessing this incredible era of American history and playing no role in it became overwhelmingly difficult. I had all but decided to leave the bench when my Congressman, Jeff Van Drew, stood up for our democracy, the Constitution and our President in the face of powerful and vindictive forces,” Donohue stated. “Jeff Van Drew’s brave switch to the Republican Party in opposition to the sham impeachment of President Trump demonstrated the best of the American spirit and was the last inspiration I needed to get back into the arena.”
Donohue will be supporting Van Drew’s reelection bid and will also be supporting the reelection of CapeGOP Chairman Marcus Karavan.
” In 2010, we created a new CapeGOP and built it into a nationally-recognized county Republican organization,” Donohue stated. “Chairman Karavan has taken CapeGOP to new and unprecedented heights with the election of State Sen. Mike Testa and Assemblyman Erik Simonsen and Assemblyman Antwan McClellan. I look forward to helping everyone in the years ahead as we hold these gains and make new ones.”
Donohue will be focusing on mediation and hearing officer services in the practice of law and will be consulting for various political candidates and organizations.
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