BRICK TOWNSHIP, NJ – Brick Republicans are hoping the public forgets about former Mayor John Ducey’s accomplishments in Brick and are going as far as trying to silence Democrats from using his name and likeness during their political campaign.
Republicans are asking the courts to prohibit the Democrat party’s right to free speech in the election.
John Ducey resigned from office to take a seat as a New Jersey judge. Under that appointment, Ducey is no longer allowed to engage in politics. Still, Ocean County GOP vice-chairwoman Ruthanne Scaturri wrote a letter to Ocean County Superior Court Vicinage leader Judge Francis Hodgson complaining about Ducey’s name, image, and accomplishments as mayor on Democrat campaign material.
“It has come to my attention that Judge John Ducey is being used in a massive political campaign in Brick Township. When his image first appeared on several Facebook posts, a letter was sent to him (exhibit 1) and the Crate Team, as well as a copy sent to the Township attorney Kevin Starkey,” Scaturro wrote the courts on September 27. “It was our attempt to save the Judge from any further misrepresentation and embarrassment. The only response received was from Judge Ducey saying he couldn’t respond to the matter. He did nothing to actively stop these posts from continuing on Facebook, nor did Kevin Starkey.”
Ducey declined to comment on the matter, and Democrats in Brick confirmed the former mayor has no involvement in the current political campaign.
Under New Jersey law Rule 1-17, cited by Scaturro, “Judges may not engage in non-partisan political activity. Without prior written approval of the Supreme Court, requested through the Administrative Director of the Courts, judges may not hold any other public office, position, or employment.”
Court officials contacted Brick Township Republicans to inquire about the matter. Democrats responded by asking the courts if the GOP was also being questioned for their negative campaign material that paints Ducey’s legacy negatively.
Ducey was a popular mayor in Brick and helped restore business to empty strip malls, kept taxes low, and improved public infrastructure and parks. He was popular for his weekly “Ask the Mayor” virtual meet and greet on social media, where residents could ask the mayor questions one-on-one and get answers.
Scaturro called Ducey unfit to be a judge because he remained silent while Brick Democrats touted his success as mayor in the township.
“The fact that Judge John Ducey has not insisted that The Crate Team discontinue using his image since this could be considered conduct unbecoming a judge. Thank you for your time, and we trust that you will take the necessary steps to have this cease and desist immediately,” she added.
Such a move by the courts to block free speech and political messaging would violate the Brick Democrats’ First Amendment right.
Democrats today told Shore News Network that such an order could be challenged on the very basic rights of free speech in politics, saying the Republicans in Brick don’t want residents to be reminded of the good job done by Ducey during his tenure and of current mayor Lisa Crate’s involvement as a councilwoman during that time.
Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore said on Monday that he had no prior knowledge of the letter sent to Hodgson and disagreed with the message in the letter.
At this time, the judiciary has not commented on the matter and no wrong doing against Judge Ducey has been alleged by anyone but Scaturro.