Former Harrison Township Committeeman Adam Wingate ousted incumbent Jacci Vigilante in the race for Gloucester County Republican chair tonight in a county that has been sharply divided since a bitter primary last year.
Wingate won, 121-91.
“I am deeply honored to be chosen by my fellow Republicans as the next Chairman of the Gloucester County GOP. The committee has made their decision clear, and I am humbled by their trust. I want to personally thank Jacci Vigilante for her years of service to our party. I am committed to defending our sitting commissioners and sheriff, and I look forward to delivering GOP control for the first time in decades,” Wingate said. “Today’s news of George Norcross’s indictment only reinforces our resolve. We will not let the Republicans of Gloucester down.”
Wingate, 34, ran for Gloucester County Commissioner in 2022 but lost by one percentage point. He ran again last year, won the primary, but lost the general election.
Republicans had appeared to be surging in 2021 after winning two county commissioner seats and the sheriff’s office.
An internal dispute over the selection of Senate and Assembly candidates in the 4th district in 2023 – and a primary challenge to State Sen Edward Durr (R-Logan) in the 3rd district – led to a bitter primary fight. Former Washington Township Councilman Christopher Del Borrello, who had the organization line in Camden and Atlantic, defeated Gloucester County Commissioner Nick DeSilvio in the GOP Senate primary; off-the-line candidates for surrogate and county commissioner bested Vigilante’s slate but lost the general election.
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Vigilante has served as county chair since 2018.