Cape May GOP freeholders re-elected

Cape May Republicans survived deep intra-party divisions to maintain their 5-0 majority on the Board of Freeholders.

Incumbents Gerald Thornton (16,105) and Marie Hayes (15,833) defeated Democrats Joyce Gould (12,035) and Elizabeth Casey (11,833).

The all-Republican freeholder board voted to censure Hayes last month  related to a retaliation claim made by Board clerk Beth Bozzelli The details of the issue have not been made public.

Hayes attacked Thornton, who voted for the censure, alleging that he lobbied her to vote in favor of a raise for his step-son, county counsel Jeff Lindsay.

Thornton voted for the censure.

Gould, a seven-term Wildwood Crest Commissioner and former mayor, joined the freeholder race in August after the withdrawal of Steve Barry.

Casey, an Ocean City attorney, was a former Assistant Counsel to the New Jersey Casino Control Commission.