OPINION
This Committee refutes the combined effort of William Winkler, of Baseline Consulting in Pennsylvania, known to many as the progenitor of “Sussex Watchdog” and “Jersey Conservative” and who we believe to be his agent, disgraced politician William Hayden, and any of their confederates, who manufacture a slander campaign and make spurious allegations designed to sow discord and cost Republicans elections based on spite and malice.
Winkler’s retention by political leadership dating back to the early 2000s and his guiding and manipulations of them is the root cause of internal division within the party, and subsequently, if
not indirectly, the losses of Sparta, Newton, Vernon to Democrats over the years.
Standing against this deceitful and toxic behavior has been a boon for party unity and an enlightening of political dynamics which have been a constraint on Republican success in the county and New Jersey over the last two decades. The messages of gratitude, sent to the Sussex GOP Leadership team, from around the state, have been overwhelming. As volunteers with families and careers, this leadership team
has bravely chosen to stand against the full-throated slander campaign of a dishonest political hitman who works full time sowing malfeasance and discord.
This statement is to document, for recording, the events that took place and shed light on a deceptive and disingenuous actor whose actions are aimed at harming not just the cause of the Republican party, but the personal lives of all who he considers his enemies. His actions are dishonest and malignant.
10 Facts
1. Credible allegations of lying about military service (pretending to be a combat experienced Navy SEAL) came to light about Bill Hayden, lies made to the entire leadership team of the Sussex Republican Committee, and many citizens coming forward, attesting to Hayden having spoken to gain credibility and financial gain on the blood of American veterans.
2. An 18-minute audio tape released by the recorder, who legally recorded a conversation with Hayden, clearly demonstrates Hayden’s slandering of people, offering to be an informant for the Democrat Party, and stating that he will leave the Republican Party.
3. On this tape he makes baseless allegations that accuse all those he does not like in the Party of criminal actions. He tells the Democrat operative, who was taping him, to “leak this…”
4. In early January 2024, as this issue began to come to light, William Winkler and one of his confederates told the Party Chairman that “Stolen Valor doesn’t matter” and that the priority was to bring down the Republican leaders in the county and LD 24 by alleging scandal in the Sussex Food Pantry. The Chairman, who had differences with certain political office holders and vice versa, recognized this as an attempt to exploit division. The Chairman refused to support the manufacturing of scandal for political expediency.
5. In December 2023, the Chairman recollects a phone conversation where William Winkler suggested to the Sussex GOP chairman that the party should support, tacitly, a primary campaign against CD 7 Congressman Tom Kean. That Winkler knew personally his far-left opponent, preferable to have a far-left Democrat take CD-7 then to have a “RINO” like Kean. Hayden shared this sentiment, and made a veiled threat to the Chairman to turn the grass roots Tea Party against him.
6. Throughout November and December, William Winkler and Bill Hayden made a public display of alleging scandal, where Hayden demanded the Sussex Committee’s support, to which the committee leadership advised him to use legal channels appropriately, for which he ignored, making videos on social media alleging criminality in a recklessly irresponsible way.
7. The Chairman disagreed with the course of action underway by Winkler and Hayden, for which Winkler sent veiled threats to the Chairman that he could have rumors put out about marital issues in his personal life, and other rumors could be made about the rest of his team. The Chairman and this committee’s leadership team does not bend the knee to threats.
8. A historical search of old Winkler articles show he had knowledge of Hayden’s lack of military service, using it to attack him when under the pay of an opponent, and now conveniently forgets now that Hayden acts as his agent.
9. At the county commissioner meeting before this writing, Hayden publicly threatened to sue members of the public who challenged him. With all that has come to light, the Sussex Republican leadership supports the commissioners’ censure of Bill Hayden who has acted in bad faith to his party and his community.
10. Allegations made in “Jersey Conservative” and “Sussex Watchdog” and various social media platforms pretend that Hayden is some kind of whistleblower being retaliated against. In January of 2024, Winkler threatened the Chairman of the Sussex GOP, who is a retired Army Officer and former Command Inspector General, in a phone call that if he or anyone were to mention that Hayden was lying about his military service, then they would be arrested for trying to interfere with a government witness. The absurdity of this veiled threat is obvious.
A bi-partisan outcry for Hayden to resign emits from township to congressional levels. At this time, “Jersey Conservative” and “Sussex Watchdog” continually print outrageous statements designed to misinform. No logical or rational person can read them, with any idea of the context, and consider them credible. Winkler and his confederates deflect their horrible mistake in allying with such an imposter, they claim “no due process of law” as if public discontent is equivalent to a legal action.
Any reader of “Jersey Conservative” or “Sussex Watchdog” can attest that political hit pieces and misinformation campaigns are its forte. The hypocrisy knows no bounds. We will go forward to fight for our country’s values, grow mature, honorable, and worthy candidates for office, and rid the county and the state of this culture of malfeasance. We shun opportunists, imposters and blackmailers who launch slander campaigns if they are not paid, retained, or obeyed. Enough.
This opinion piece was signed by Chairman Joe LaBarbera, Vice Chair Barbara Holstein, Secretary Gene Wronko, and Executive Director James Baldini.