Keyes Maloney is new Mercer Democratic county chair

Jennifer Keyes Maloney defeated James Gee to become the new Mercer County Democratic Chair by a margin of 74%-26%.

Maloney received 242 votes to Gee’s 85.

Keyes Maloney replaces Janice Mironov, the mayor of East Windsor, who did not seek re-election after eight years as county chair.  Mironov endorsed Keyes Maloney, while Gee had the backing of Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing).

Mercer County Commissioner Sam Frisby was re-elected vice chairman.

“I’ve worked with Jennifer and Sam for years, and I know they have the experience, drive, and dedication to lead our party into the future,” said Mercer County Executive Dan Benson.  “Together with the rest of the leadership team, they’ll continue building a party that’s rooted in transparency, collaboration, and innovation.”

Benson also praised Mironov “for her years of outstanding leadership as county chair.”

“She helped build a stronger, more inclusive organization that’s well-positioned for the future,” Benson said.  Mercer County Democrats are better because of her service.”

Jay Vaingankur, a 28-year-old former Biden White House aide who sought the Democratic nomination for Congress in New Jersey’s 12th district last month, is the new 1st vice chair.

Keyes Maloney is a Ewing councilwoman and former assistant state treasurer.  She is the executive director of the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities and formerly held a government affairs post at the College of New Jersey.

She becomes the third consecutive woman to occupy the county chair post, preceded by Verlina Reynolds Jackson and Mironov.

Before opening his own government affairs firm, Gee served as chief of staff to Watson Coleman.  He ran her first congressional campaign twelve years ago.  A former deputy chief of staff to Gov. James E. McGreevey, Gee chaired the campaign of Rep. Analilia Mejia (D-Glen Ridge) in New Jersey’s 11th district earlier this year, and was a key advisor to Nakia White Barr, who ousted incumbent John Cimino in the Democratic primary for county commissioner earlier this month.

Ocean County Republican Chairman George Gilmore was re-elected without opposition.  Last night, Atlantic County Republicans re-elected Don Purdy as county chairman.

This story was updated on July 1 at 7:54 PM.