Evalena Vidal, former spy who ran for office in New Jersey, dies at 92

Evalena Sharp Vidal, a retired U.S. Central Intelligence Agency officer who later pursued a career in Cumberland County politics, died on December 19.  She was 92.

After serving 27 years with the CIA at its headquarters in Langley, Virginia and in various European posts, she returned to her hometown of Commercial Township and became an executive with Durand International, a French crystal and glass company that had a U.S. headquarters in Millville.

Vidal was elected to the Commercial Township Committee in 1982, defeating Democrat Joseph Stearn by about 110 votes, a margin of 54%-46%.

In 1984, Vidal became the Republican candidate for Cumberland County Clerk against the two-term Democratic incumbent, John Nardelli.    She ran on a ticket with first-time freeholder candidate Frank LoBiondo.

She lost by 6,428 votes, 58%-42%.

Vidal was a graduate of Wellesley College and later attended the Academy of International Law at The Hague, Netherlands, and a doctorate in International Law at the University of Paris.

She also became the first woman member of Rotary International in South Jersey and later served as assistant governor.

Sharp is survived by her two children, her grandson and her sister.

Visitation will be held from 1-2 PM on Saturday at the Hoffman Funeral Home in Port Norris, followed by funeral services.