Allies of Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore prevailed tonight at a special meeting to elect members of the Republican State Committee.
For the state committeeman seat, County Commissioner Rob Arace defeated former Point Pleasant Beach Councilman Michael Thulen, Jr., 237-101, a 70%-30% margin. Arace replaced Jack Kelly, a county commissioner who is running for county clerk in tomorrow’s primary election.
In the race for state committeewoman, County Commissioner Jennifer Bacchione defeated former Toms River Municipal Court Judge Ann Hammill-Pasqua with 76%, 251-85. She will succeed Virginia Haines, a former Republican National Committeewoman and assemblywoman who is not seeking re-election as a county commissioner this year.
Ocean County Republicans supporting gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli supported Thulen and Pasqua; Gilmore is backing Bill Spadea.
The legislature eliminated the direct election of state committee members by voters earlier this year as part of a ballot design bill that mandated office block voting. Instead, state committee members are now elected by a vote of the full county committee.
State Committee members elect a state party chair, national committee members, and have a say over appointing board of elections members.