Durr beats Ostrum at Salem GOP convention

Salem County Republicans endorsed State Sen. Ed Durr (R-Logan) for a second term, defeating Salem County Commissioner Mickey Ostrum by a vote of 41 to 29, a 59%-41% margin.

Assemblywoman Bethanne McCarthy Patrick (R-Mannington) received party support for her re-election bid in her home county; she was the top vote-getter with 59 votes.  Tom Tedesco, a Hopewell Township committeeman who is running with Durr and McCarthy Patrick, defeated Assemblywoman Beth Sawyer by seven votes, 38 to 31.  Former Harrison Township Committeeman Adam Wingate, who was running with Ostrum and Sawyer, finished fourth with 11 votes.

Durr has already won organization lines in Gloucester and Cumberland; Salem does not have a line.

The defeat of Ostrum in his home county has already fueled speculation that he will drop his primary challenge against Durr.

“I haven’t really decided yet,” Ostrum told the New Jersey Globe.  “We have some options available.”

There is also talk that Wingate will instead see a return to the Harrison Township Committee.

Former ten-term Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Paulsboro), who lost his seat two years ago to McCarty Patrick and Sawyer, is expected to announce this week that he will challenge Durr in the 3rd district Senate race.

Salem County Commissioner Ed Ramsey received unanimous support in his bid for re-election.