New Jersey Governor Joe Vicari? Toms River GOP endorses bid

TOMS RIVER - Ocean County Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari has received the endorsement of Toms River Republicans to become the 57th governor of New Jersey next year — assuming he really wants the job.

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Toms River Regular Republican Club President Geri Ambrosio said members unanimously supported Vicari's gubernatorial bid, which is intended to highlight issues that are important to the Jersey Shore.

“It was a unanimous vote,” Ambrosio said.

Vicari, 74, a longtime resident of Toms River, served on what was then the Dover Township Committee from 1980 through 1994. He was mayor — a largely ceremonial post at the time that was equivalent to a committee chairman — for five years during his tenure in local office. 

He has served on Ocean County’s governing body — formerly the Board of Freeholders — since 1981, beginning his 14th term on Jan. 1. He most recently served as director of the panel — now the Board of Commissioners — last year.

Ocean County Republican leaders have said that virtually no one expects Vicari to actually mount a serious run for governor. The real purpose of his campaign is to bring statewide attention to the fact that Ocean County has no representation on a number of state boards and authorities — such as the state Board of Public Utilities and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. This has long been a source of irritation for Vicari, who often speaks out about the matter at county meetings.

In an interview with  New Jersey Globe earlier this week, Vicari said he will focus on winning support in his home county but has no plans to campaign statewide.

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Vicari is among a total of five candidates expected to be vetted before the Ocean County Republican screening committee on Feb. 6, in an effort to seek its endorsement ahead of the county GOP’s annual March 6 convention.

Former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, former Somerset County Freeholder Brian Levine and recurring candidates Hirsh Singh and Joey Rullo, are all scheduled to appear before the GOP panel, according to party officials.

Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, is seeking reelection this year.

Erik Larsen: 732-682-9359 or elarsen@gannettnj.com

Jean Mikle: 732-643-4050 or jmikle@gannettnj.com