LAKEWOOD, NJ – Dozens of Ocean County elected officials and candidates attended a gala hosted by United Ocean County PAC at Glatt Bite Kosher in Lakewood Township on Wednesday.
The event was the official public launch of the political action committee headed by a PAC formed by prominent members of the Orthodox Jewish community.
Speakers at the event included GOP operative Erik Arpert, who ran Jack Ciattarelli’s unsuccessful for campaign for Governor in 2021, Ocean County Commissioner Gary Quinn and Jackson Township Mayor Michael Reina.
In attendance were elected officials, including Toms River Mayor Maurice “Mo” Hill, and his entire campaign slate of Kevin Geoghegan, Matt Lotano, and Josh Kopp. New Jersey Assemblymen John Catalano and Greg McGuckin were also in attendance, along with mayors and candidates from other towns across Ocean, Monmouth, and Middlesex Counties.
Photo: United Ocean County PAC Chairman Noah Burton speaks to guests at the PAC’s official kickoff event in Lakewood Township. Seated at the main table was Toms River Mayor Maurice Hill and leadership from the Toms River, Jackson and Lakewood Jewish Community Councils (VAAD).
Commissioner Quinn presented Jackson Mayor Michael Reina with an award for his service both in the community and at the county offices, where he is the head of the Ocean County Bridge Department.
While the event was about unity, some common themes were the topic of discussion, but none more than the upcoming GOP primary election for Mayor in Toms River. Hill was the only candidate from the race in attendance. Councilman Dan Rodrick today said he never received a formal invitation and said he respectfully declined a last-minute verbal invite by organizers.
Photo: The “Mo Hill Team” sits together at a table at a political fundraiser in Lakewood Township. Pictured L-R Councilman Matt Lotano, Republicans for Toms River President Anne Hammil Pasqua, Mo Hill Press Secretary Art Gallagher, New Jersey Assemblyman Greg McGuckin.
“I’m more concerned about getting out and meeting with the people of Toms River,” Rodrick said today.
Organizers said Gerri Ambrosio was invited but did not attend.
When MC Erik Arpert recognized Toms River Mayor Mo Hill, the room erupted with a standing ovation louder than any other elected official at the event.
Other topics in corners of the room included road and pedestrian safety in Toms River and Jackson and how to reunite the fractured Ocean County GOP under the leadership of Ocean County Chairman George Gilmore. Gilmore was not in attendance. Instead, the chairman was lobbying at a fundraiser in North Jersey.
PHOTO: Jackson Mayor Michael Reina speaking before elected officials at the Jersey Shore.
During his speech, Reina said Jackson is a model of success that proves that when people find their common bonds and ideas, they can overlook the things that make each person different and thanked United Ocean County for honoring him.
The event reportedly raised over $150,000 for the newly formed political action committee, which seeks to support candidates that share the same principles of the PAC.
Shore News Network would like to thank United Ocean County for being open and transparent and allowing us the opportunity to cover the political engagement.
PHOTO: Toms River Mayor Maurice “Mo” Hill with TRJCC leaders Booky Kaluszyner and Sam Ellenbogen. Also present was Toms River Township Attorney Greg McGuckin and Ocean County Commissioner Candidate Frank Sadeghi (5/17/23) Days after Hill announced the two men supported his opponent Gerri Ambrosio.