Gloucester Democrats have successfully defended their 5-2 majority on the County Board of Commissioners against a deeply divided Gloucester County Republican Party, dealing another blow to local GOP organization that won two seats in 2021 but then lost a bid to take control last year.
Incumbent Commissioner Jim Jefferson (D-Woodbury), Pitman Committeeman Matt Weng, and Washington Township Mayor Joann Gattinelli defeated by Republicans Adam Wingate, Heather Flaim, and James Philbin. As of 10:10 p.m. Jefferson and Gattinelli have 17.7% of the vote and Weng has 17.2%; Wingate, Flaim, and Phiblin have 16.0%, 15.7%, and 15.6%, respectively.
Gloucester County Surrogate Joe Chila has also won, defeating Republican Sam Maccarone. Chila is currently leading 54%-46%.
Weng received the Democratic nomination after Lyman Barnes, a four-term incumbent, decided not to seek re-election; Gattinelli replaced Heather Simmons, who ran for State Assembly in the 3rd district.
Wingate formerly served as a Harrison Township Committeeman who a county commissioner seat last year; Flaim is a Franklin Township Committeewoman; and Philbin serves as an East Greenwich Committeeman and is the former GOP county chairman.
The Republican candidates all won off-the-line victories in the primary, defeating organization-backed candidates. Gloucester’s fractured Republican Party was the result of a fight for legislative seats in which Assemblywoman Beth Sawyer (R-Woolwich) and 4th district State Senate candidate Chris Del Borrello decided to mount renegade campaigns against State Sen. Ed Durr (R-Logan) in the 3rd and County Commissioner Nick DiSilvio (R-Franklin) in the 4th.
Next year, Democrats will have the chance to take back complete control of the county board, when DeSilvio and Commissioner Chris Konawel are both up for re-election.
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