Gilmore fundraising hurts Ocean GOP, Holzapfel says

State Sen. James Holzapfel (R-Toms River) doesn’t like the idea of former Ocean County Republican chairman George Gilmore raising funds independent of the county’s Republican organization.

“I’m with the organization and Mr. Gilmore has his own problems,” Holzapfel said. “The organization is the organization, and I have supported and continue to support the organization and its fundraising efforts. Any organization should have one fundraising operation, and multiple operations, in no way does that help. I think the organization people understand that and will continue to support Frank Holman, the duly elected chairman.”

Gilmore resigned in April after 23 years at the head of New Jersey’s most powerful Republican organization following his conviction on federal tax charges.

Since then, the Gilmore dynasty has largely been toppled. Holman narrowly defeated Frank Sadeghi, Gilmore’s handpicked successor, to win the party’s chairmanship earlier this year.

Gilmore didn’t take that loss to heart and has continued to raise funds outside of the county organization he no longer controls, and while Holman viewed the move as an attack, not all the counties Republicans felt the same.

“Look, we all want to raise money for Republicans,” State Sen. Robert Singer (R-Lakewood) said. “I would hope the money that he raises comes back to the Republicans in Ocean County.”

Both Singer and Holzapfel said they skipped a September 7 fundraising breakfast Gilmore hosted.