Gov. Phil Murphy filed the appointment of Republican John Custodio to the Camden County Board of Elections, less than a day after the New Jersey Globe questioned why the nomination had taken so long.
A vacancy has existed since July 31, when Republican John Venuti retired. Camden County Republican Chairman Richard Ambrosino submitted paperwork with Custodio’s name, signed by the vice chair and the two state committee members. New Jersey law gives the appointment to the county party leaders, with the governor’s signoff traditionally just a formality. Republicans had filed their paperwork in early AUgust.
Without Custodio, Camden County Democrats had a 2-1 majority on the Board of Elections. That means any disputes over provisional ballots, vote-by-mail ballots, or other issues could have been decided on a party line vote. Murphy’s move to seat Custodio in time for the mid-term elections – voters in Camden have already started voting – meets the legislative intent of bi-partisan election boards.
Custodio is a former Black Horse Pike Regional School District president. Republicans tried to coax him into a State Senate race against Fred Madden in 2007, but without success.