Ocean City mayor faces two challengers in May election

The May 12 non-partisan race for mayor of Ocean City will feature a contest between four-term incumbent Jay Gillian and two members of the city council, Keith Hartzell and Peter Madden.

The campaign takes place against the backdrop of Gillian’s personal financial difficulties. He filed for Chapter 11 personal bankruptcy protection in December and reported almost $6 million in debt.  Gillian’s problems came from the 2024 closure of his family business, Gillian’s Wonderland Pier.

He has said his personal money issues don’t affect his ability to serve as mayor.

Gillian was elected in 2010 with 1,111 votes, defeating Michael Hinchman by a 63%-37%. margin.  The incumbent, Sal Perrillo, did not seek re-election.

He was re-elected three times. In 2022, Gillian defeated Hartzell by 395 votes, a 55%-45% margin.   His 2018 margin against John Rood was 772, and he won in 2014 by 729 votes against Edward Price.

Before his election as mayor, Gillian was the president of the Ocean City Board of Education.

Four candidates are competing for three at-large seats on the Ocean City Council: incumbents Sean Barnes and Tony Polcini are seeking re-election, along with Jim Kelly, the co-founder of the Ocean City 20250 community advocacy group, and school board member Jocelyn Palaganas.