June 18, 2008 - 5:24pm

Gilmore will not pursue another term as chair of GOP chairs

Ocean County Republican Chairman George Gilmore told fellow Republicans this evening that he would not seek another term as chair of the Republican county chairmen.

The powerful Republican Party leader has served in that capacity for eight years.

Gilmore sent a letter to his fellow party chairmen of the 21 counties indicating his intentions in advance of a meeting the GOP leaders will convene, probably before the end of the month.

"I'm calling a meeting to set up a committee to appoint officers," Gilmore told PolitickerNJ.com.

It has been a tough year for Gilmore at the national and local levels.

He was the lead Jersey organizer for the Rudy Giuliani presidential campaign, and took that loss after personally campaigning for the former New York mayor in the lead-up to the Florida primary.

Republican candidates running for the Jackson Town Council were blown out on May 5th.

But most significantly, Gilmore's 3rd District congressional candidate fought in the vanguard of an Ocean versus Burlington war that resulted in the Burlington County GOP-backed Chris Myers burying Ocean County Freeholder Jack Kelly.

Gilmore said the culmination of losses had nothing to do with his decision not to continue as chairman of the GOP chairs.

"I made the decision a good six months ago," the Ocean County chairman said. "Giuliani would have easily won New Jersey had he still been in the race.

"The biggest factor in my decision was my two children," Gilmore added. "I also don't think anyone understands the duties of county chairs, which alone are tremendous. In any event, my fellow county chairs have been gracious in letting me serve."

Comments

The "Gilmore Family"


New Jersey GOP Kingpin Not Such A King Anymore

http://www.gopusanj.com/wordpress/?p=1994

06/18/08 7:47 pm

Blame the Kelly Race


Gilmore proved to be an empty suit in the 3rd CD race. The fact is, he is all buster and bravado and NO production!

Even the wimpy republican chairs wouldn't go for Gilmore and more.

Bill III

06/18/08 9:18 pm

Gilmore no more.


Even a rat knows when the ship is sinking.

06/18/08 9:22 pm

puppet like Burl Co


Look for a puppet like Paulsen has with Layton in Burl Co.

06/18/08 10:05 pm

I hear the Cayman Islands are beautiful this time of year...


As county chairmen go, Gilmore won the lucky sperm club. He got to be Chairman in Ocean, where a broomstick could win if you ran it in November in the Republican Column.

Let's be honest, they don't have competitive races in Ocean and when he was faced with one in the Kelly race, Gilmore failed to deliver.

His county backed candidate takes 45% of the vote in a 3 way race backed by his powerful line. While the Burlington and Camden lines produce over 70% for Myers. Weak George very weak.

While we're at it, let's take a look at Gilmore's decisions in the last year:

Rudy...Andy Unanue...Jack Kelly...and worst of all...doing nothing to help his county ticket in the 2008 primary.

After a team of nobodys took 40% against Kelly and Lacey in the 2007 GOP primary, you'd think Georgie Boy would have woken up and paid attention this year.

Instead his county candidates won by less than 1,500 votes. Good work George.

Rather than paying attention to his home County, George was busy shaking down county vendors and forcing them to give to first Rudy and then McCain. Maybe he should have spent a little of that money at home?

AND SPECIAL KUDOS to Chris Christie for sending the Toms River School Board Land Deal investigation of Gilmore to the Philadelphia FBI office. Christie can't handle a conflict of interest case like that, he knows a bad actor when he sees one - and that's George Gilmore!

Gilmore has been exposed for the fraud he is.

Go roll around in all that taxpayer money you've been hoarding up George, that'll make you feel better.

Don't let the door hit you in the a** on the way out!

06/18/08 10:15 pm

John Adler and the Ocean County Democrats


Stafford Business Park, Stafford Business Park, Stafford Business Park.

Say it three times, click your heels, and like magic you will be victorious in November.

06/18/08 11:38 pm

Do or die time for the GOP...


With Republicans having there best chance in a long, long time next year with Chris (the Republican's only hope) at the top of the ticket, its crucial that this post gets filled with someone who can rally the troops -- the natural choice is O'Toole, who represents the new breed of Republicans who have shaken up the establishment in Trenton. Now more than ever its crucial that every public face the GOP has is delivering the same message, and no one sitting in a Chairman's seat has proven that more than O'Toole, who along with Joe Malone has been the GOP's budget hawk.

06/19/08 7:50 am

Gilmore, the Kingpin


One can talk about the influence of Paulsen, Ferreiro or Norcross, but Gilmore has been the most powerful boss in N.J., for my money. I say this because his law firm, at least until recently, had its hand in county contracts and could "pay back" contributors to the Ocean Co. GOP.

06/19/08 2:48 pm

Jealous Much Martin?


You sound that you are a tad bit jealous of everything everyone else has or does.

Why would anyone trust or put you in a position that requires backing up what you say with facts?

06/19/08 11:36 am

Jealous Much Martin?


You sound that you are a tad bit jealous of everything everyone else has or does.

Why would anyone trust or put you in a position that requires backing up what you say with facts?

06/19/08 11:37 am

Reading Comprehension


He is resigning as chair of GOP chairs, not as chair of OC. You guys are truly brilliant. Just glance at the headline and then spin spin spin!

06/19/08 2:31 pm