County GOP Holds 2015 Convention, Backs Fiocchi, Sauro, Fulginiti, Desiderio

CLARIFICATION: Michael Donohue, Cape May County Republican chairman, clarified a mention in the March 25 story about the party’s convention. “I actually took issue with our organization being characterized by some as a “machine.” He said victories resulted because of “all of the good, hard-working people in this room.”
SEA ISLE CITY – The Sea Isle City Yacht Club hosted the Cape May County Republican Party March 18, as it held the annual nominating convention for the candidate slate for upcoming elections. Jokes were made that on the day after St. Patrick’s Day an “all-Italian” slate of candidates was being presented: Samuel Fiocchi for re-election to Assembly; James Sauro for Assembly; Rita Fulginiti for re-election as County Clerk; and Leonard Desiderio for re-election to the Board of Chosen Freeholders.
CapeGOP Chairman Michael Donohue highlighted that the Republican Party in the county is “solid red so we’re spoiled but we will outwork the Democrats who always outspend us, sometimes even by five to one.”
“We all win together, and we will be out on the street at every Wawa and shopping center to elect our slate,” said Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton, rousing the several hundred party loyalists in attendance.
Both Thornton and Donohue emphasized as significant achievements a number of events as well as unexpected election wins that show how the Republican Party has strived for excellence and success.
“We’ve had six conventions in five years, starting with the first ever at the Wildwood Convention Center in 2011, which was an exciting time,” Donohue said. “We’ve really revitalized the party in the county and especially the nominating process where before, sometimes the process was not consistent or defensible. Our Young Republicans group is thriving. We’ve been able to make Dennis and Middle townships Republican as a result of the machine we’ve created. Sam (Fiocchi) was the only Republican in 2013 to defeat a Democratic incumbent for an Assembly seat. Rita (Fulginiti) is the best county clerk in the entire state, she even overnight mails ballots to county voters in Florida, and Leonard (Desiderio) and Jim (Sauro) are the most hard-working men I know.”
Party leadership and candidates noted their constant efforts to go door-to-door and to be responsive to constituents by answering every phone call and inquiry. “We are more motivated than ever, our party is on the rise, and this is our year,” continued Donohue.
Sauro, a radio personality and freeholder in Cumberland County, pledged his hard work to win his Assembly seat. Fulginiti echoed that pledge and said she is honored to fulfill her state constitutional functions and duties including her responsibility to preserve the county’s 300 years of land deeds and other important records.
Desiderio concluded the convention’s “Candidates’ Remarks” segment by stating how proud he is to be a Republican and freeholder and to work with so many dedicated, successful elected Republican representatives at all levels of government from municipal to those in Trenton.
“The county’s freeholder board works for all of Cape May County with divergent opinions welcome and accepted,” said Desiderio.
Terming themselves the “Big Four” with a nod to basketball’s current March Madness tournament, Desiderio said, “We will fight hard to continue to make sure the county gets all that it deserves.”
Donohue noted to the crowd that their donations of $500 at the convention last year went to help disabled veterans instead of convention T-shirts and mugs. This year the same amount of $500 will be given to Family Promise to help those who are homeless and particularly children in need.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.