Atlantic County Commissioner won’t seek a fifth term

Citing health issues, Ernest Coursey, the lone Democratic county commissioner in Atlantic County, will not seek re-election to a fifth term.

“I wish to thank my constituents for the opportunity to represent them for the past 11 years,” Coursey said.  “It has truly been an honor to serve the citizens and taxpayers of Atlantic County with pride and dignity.”

Coursey’s retirement comes three weeks after Atlantic City Councilman-at-Large George Tibbit announced that he was switching parties and challenging Coursey as a Republican for a district count commissioner seat.

The 1st district county commissioner seat leans Democratic, but it became more competitive during redistricting after a Democratic map split Atlantic City and Pleasantville into different districts to give them a chance to pick up another seat.

“Ernest Coursey has always stood up for everyday people throughout his distinguished career. His decades of public service have made Atlantic City and Atlantic County a better place to live, and his legacy will live on for decades to come, said Atlantic County Democratic Chairman Michael Suleiman.  “This news is bittersweet for me. As his Chairman, I’m saddened that Ernest will not serve another term in county government. As his friend, however, I am happy that Ernest is going to focus on his health. One’s family and health are far more important than a political campaign. While I am thrilled to see how much his health has improved over the past few months, he still has a way to go, and that’s the most important thing right now.”

Coursey might have faced a challenge in the Democratic primary.  He announced last year that he would run on gubernatorial candidate Steve Fulop’s ballot slogan and not seek the support of the county organization.

Now the race in a lineless primary election is wide open.

“Over the past few days, Ernest and I have conferred with community leaders in Atlantic City to identify prospective candidates to succeed Ernest on the Board of County Commissioners. Fortunately, we have a deep bench, and I look forward to working with these leaders to coaleasce around a strong candidate,” stated Suleiman.  “It’s imperative that Ernest’s successor will serve the residents of Atlantic County in the same honorable way that Ernest has for over a decade.”

Coursey served as an Atlantic City councilman for eleven years, was council president, and served as an aide to U.S. Senator Bob Torricelli and as a Commissioner of the South Jersey Transportation Authority.  He unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for State Assembly in 2017, but lost by 1,744 votes.