Former Assemblyman Thomas Foley has announced that he will challenge Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small in the June Democratic primary, WPG Talk Radio host Harry Hurley reported on Thursday.
A former Atlantic City Fire Department battalion chief, Foley has also served as a Atlantic County freeholder and as a city councilman in Pleasantville.
“These things can and must be accomplished now, as we have been waiting over 40 years,” Foley told Hurley. “I was Emergency Manager and believe me our City needs emergency help and guidance so it’s now time to Fix It With Foley.”
Small announced his bid for re-election this morning.
Small became mayor in October 2019 following the resignation of Frank Gilliam. He won a special election in 2020, scoring large pluralities in the primary (64%-31%) and general elections (70%-30%).
Gilliam is scheduled to be sentenced today after pleading guilty to wire fraud for stealing $87,000 from a youth basketball program he ran.
The New Jersey Globe first reported on January 21 that former Mayor Lorenzo Langford is also considering entering the race. Langford endorsed Small last year.
According to Hurley, there may be more candidates entering the race.
Foley won an Assembly seat in 1993, ousting incumbent Fredrick Nickles (R-Egg Harbor Township) by 331 votes in the 2nd legislative district., historically the most competitive district in the seat.
Two years later, Republican Frank Blee (R-Absecon) unseated Foley by 3,060 votes.
In 1999, Foley was the Democratic candidate for Atlantic County Executive. He lost to Republican Dennis Levinson by 2,523 votes, 53%-47%.
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