Camden Republicans hit rivals over Barclay

Camden County Republicans are taking shots at their colleagues across the aisle for a slow-moving response to former Assemblyman Arthur Barclay’s alleged assault of girlfriend.

Barclay resigned from the General Assembly last month after the Globe reported that he was arrested on simple assault charges earlier in April, but the county’s Republicans are asking why the Democratic establishment dragged its feet on the incident.

“Was an investigation launched? If so, what was the outcome of that investigation?  Why did the machine Democrats try to keep this quiet in the first place?” asked Republican freeholder candidate Vincent Squire. “Was Barclay at least suspended pending the outcome of the investigation? Is this just another case of Camden County machine politics where they sweep their problems under the rug?”

Squire and his running mates, Keith Cybulski and Claire Gustafson, are also concerned that Barclay appears to have kept his job in the county government.

Barclay works for Camden County’s Department of Events and Community Outreach, a post that according to TapInto Camden nets him a $60,000 salary.

“The freeholders up for re-election should be asking the questions we’re asking,” Squire said. “Simply saying there will be an investigation isn’t enough.”

Barclay is due in court on July 20.