JACKSON, NJ – Hardware magnate Marty Flemming wants to be mayor. Last week, he was trying to rally the support of the Orthodox Jewish community through Mordechai Burnstein, head of the Jackson Jewish Community Council. He also hosted a fundraiser with prominent Lakewood developer Mordechai Eichorn. Eichorn is the developer behind the controversial Jackson Trails development and is seeking to build private high schools on Leesville Road.
While Flemming is courting the powerful bloc vote, he made it clear this week in a Facebook post that he does not want Democrats to vote for him.
Billing himself as the ‘Republican screening committee endorsed candidate’, Flemming lashed out at an attempt by his opponent Mayor Michael Reina to invite all Jackson voters to the conversation on November 8th.
Flemming’s team was offended by Reina’s gesture of bringing ‘the other side’ into the political process in Jackson.
Flemming immediately slammed the sitting mayor for reaching across the political aisle to invite Democrats into the political debate and process. No Democrats are running for office in Jackson this year.
Reina invited Democrat-affiliated Jackson residents to an upcoming meet the candidates night.
“The feeling when your opposition claims to be the “Real Republican” ticket, but cross-posts their campaign page to the [Jackson Residents] Democrat Voter pages,” Flemming’s team posted to their Leadership for Jackson Facebook page. “Just more proof that Mike Reina has no principles except getting himself re-elected.”
According to the Oxford Dictionary, somebody without principles is “Of a person or their behavior not acting in accordance with moral principles.”
Reina’s team responded by mocking Flemming’s staunch partisanship in an election that has no official Democrat ticket.
“The Moment When: Your opponents (Glory & Flemming) say out loud that the Mayor shouldn’t represent all residents, regardless of political party,” Reina responded. “Sad to see the Glory/Flemming style of divisive leadership on public display. ALL are welcome at our Meet & Greet tomorrow!”
That meeting will be held Tuesday, October 18th from 6-8 pm at the Moving Jackson Forward campaign headquarters in Romeo’s Plaza on Bennetts Mills Road.
“All residents are welcome,” Reina said, criticizing Flemming’s inexperience as an elected official. “As mayor, you have to represent all residents of Jackson, not just the ones you like, or your friends, or the ones in your party. Everyone, regardless of religion, race, or political affiliation. I welcome everyone to come meet us at our event on Tuesday.”