Burlington GOP backs Tiver for Senate

Burlington County Republicans endorsed former Freeholder Latham Tiver, a top official at the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825, to run for an open State Senate seat in the 8th legislative district, where freshman State Sen. Jean Stanfield (R-Westampton) is not seeking re-election.

Tiver will run on a ticket with two freshmen assemblymen, Michael Torrissi, Jr. (R-Hammonton) and Brandon Umba (R-Medford). 

Former Burlington City Mayor Jim Fazone, a former Democrat who switched parties in 2015, was endorsed to take on State Sen. Troy Singleton (D-Delran) in the 7th district.  Against Assembly incumbents Herbert Conaway, Jr. (D-Delran) and Carol Murphy (D-Mount Laurel), Republicans have backed former Moorestown Zoning Board member and retired CWA member Doug Dillion and parental rights activist Eileen Bleistine. 

Bass River Mayor Deborah Buzby-Cope will take on the Democratic county clerk, Joanne Schwartz.

Two political newcomers, attorney Alfonso Gambone and optometrist Larry Vernamonti, will run for county commissioner.   Democrats have a 7-0 majority on the county commission, with incumbents Tom Pullion and Balvir Singh preparing to seek third terms.  

“Burlington County Republicans are ready to do our part in taking back the State Senate and General Assembly and breaking the toxic one-party rule in our county government,” said Burlington County Republican Committee Chairman Sean Earlen. “Our experienced and energized slate of candidates at the state, county, and local level will secure Republican victories up and down the ballot.”

The Burlington GOP organization line in the 12th district went to Old Bridge Mayor Owen Henry for State Senate and Assemblymen Rob Clifton (R-Matawan) and Alex Sauickie (R-Jackson).  Henry is the favorite to replace four-term incumbent Sam Thompson (D-Old Bridge), who switched parties last month after being told he wouldn’t have party support for re-election and then abruptly announced this week that he would not run at all.