Sauickie says he’d likely back Haines for re-election

Assemblyman Alex Sauickie (R-Jackson) said Monday that while he doesn’t yet know who the candidates are, he would likely support Ocean County Commissioner Virginia Haines for re-election.

Haines, 78, has served as a commissioner since 2016, and reportedly has fallen out of favor with her onetime ally, Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore. She hasn’t announced whether she will run for re-election, but would likely face a primary challenge if she did.

“She’s been a long-term advocate for Ocean County,” Sauickie said. “She’s worked with me on anything I’ve needed.”

Sauickie praised her work on the county’s land trust and said he’s not too concerned about any primary challenger she may face.

“I’m always concerned about any primary, especially a primary against Republicans that are doing great jobs, but my suspicion is she wouldn’t have too much of a concern in a primary,” he said.

Haines has endorsed Jack Ciattarelli for governor, giving the GOP candidate his first prominent endorsement in the state’s most Republican county. Gilmore is backing NJ 101.5 radio personality Bill Spadea in the Republican primary.