Ocean GOP screening committee picks Smith, Van Drew

The Ocean County Republican Screening Committee recommended that their organization line in the June 2 primary election go to Reps. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis) in the 2nd district and Rep. Christopher Smith (R-Hamilton) in the 4th.

The New Jersey Globe first reported earlier this afternoon that the screening committee is backing Kate Gibbs for Congress in the 3rd district and Rik Mehta for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination to run against Cory Booker.

The GOP screening committee also backed the re-election of Freeholder Joseph Vicari and County Clerk Scott Colabella.  Vicari was first elected to the freeholder board in 1984 and Colabella won his first term in 2010.

Colabella began his political career as a Chris Smith intern in 1981 during the congressman’s first term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Democrats have not won a countywide race in Ocean County since 1989.