TOMS RIVER, NJ – Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore has officially declared an all-out civil war within the Ocean County GOP after a controversial meeting of a handpicked screening committee that sought to oust anyone who opposed Gilmore’s return to power in 2022.
Gilmore’s handpicked screening committee members attempted to oust longtime Gilmore political foe Greg McGuckin and Diane Gove in favor of Gilmore loyalists Ruthanne Scaturro and Ashley Lamb.
Scaturro has been credited for the Democrat takeover of Brick Township when she served as the Brick Township GOP chairwoman as Democrats led by Mayor John Ducey managed to gain full control of the Brick Township government for the past decade.
That sets up a showdown between loyalists of the Gilmore and McGuckin feuding factions to face off in a primary election in June.
McGuckin has chosen Ocean County conservative GOP rising star, Paul Kanitra, the mayor of Point Pleasant as his running mate.
Gilmore’s actions send a clear message to the Ocean County GOP. If you went against him, you are now a target. Even those who supported Gilmore during his return to power after being convicted by the Department of Justice and subsequently pardoned by President Donald Trump are feeling uneasiness as the chairman goes on a house-cleaning rampage of the party ahead of the June primary election.
In order to win the election, Gilmore must first decertify the Republicans for Toms River club, containing most of Toms River’s elected Republicans in favor of the Toms River Regular Republicans which has just one elected official remaining as a member.
It’s uncertain if Gilmore can sway county council votes to back him in that coup, a retaliation for former GOP Chairman Frank B. Holman decertifying the Gilmore-aligned club previously.
The move also puts Gilmore’s choice of County Commissioner, Frank Sadeghi in the position for a possible primary challenge too. Had McGuckin been selected by Gilmore’s screening committee, the likelihood of a Sadeghi challenger was low.
As in recent years, the county screening committee selections often carry little influence when it comes to floor votes, as former GOP Chairman Frank Holman was defeated several times in floor votes in opposition to his handpicked candidates.
The move by Gilmore and the screening committee closes the door on any possible peaceful settlements between the two warring factions in Ocean County.
The power struggle between Gilmore and McGuckin has less to do with political platforms and values, but more to do with control of lucrative professional contracts countywide. After Gilmore’s conviction, McGuckin’s law firm moved in to seize accounts held by Gilmore and his allies. Now, Gilmore is working to replace McGuckin in multiple towns with his own affiliated professionals and administrative personnel.