Mayor, Councilman in Camden County Leave Democratic Party

Two Democrats elected at the municipal level in Camden County have decided to leave their party and join the county Republican Party, the Camden County Republican Party announced Thursday morning.
Audubon Park Mayor Larry Pennock and Councilman John Carpinelli joined the Camden County Republican Party, Republican Party Chairman Tom Booth said.

“As a father, it is imperative you always try to do what is right and that includes standing up for your beliefs,” Pennock said in a statement. “The Republican Party best reflects my personal views on the issues of the day, so it was important I stand up for my beliefs and change parties.”

“We are thankful to Chairman Booth for his warm welcome and look forward to helping him build the Republican Party in Camden County,” Carpinelli said in the statement. “Mr. Booth has had an uphill battle in Camden County, but there is more than a little dissatisfaction out there and we expect that soon the hill may not be as steep.”

Pennock has served as mayor for the last 10 years, and was a councilman for six years before that, always as a Democrat. He also served on the town's school board for six years.

Carpinelli was nominated in January of 2014 by the County Democratic Committee to fill the vacant seat of Frederick T. Passon following his death. He was elected to fill the duration of that term later in the year, and re-elected to the seat last year.

Before the defection, the six-person council was comprised completely of Democrats.

“In this presidential election year this is a trend I expect to continue,” Booth said. “From Pennsauken to Winslow and everywhere in between there are Democrats unhappy with choices of candidates forced upon them and the direction of their local party. I have no doubt others want to follow the leadership displayed by Mayor Pennock and Councilman Carpinelli.”

Camden County has long been a Democratic stronghold, and overwhelmingly votes in favor of Democrats at all levels of government. In this year’s Democratic Primaries, Alex Law mounted a challenge to incumbent Donald Norcross in the First Congressional District, and 10 people ran for two open seats on the county Board of Chosen Freeholders.

“I look forward to working with Mayor Pennock and Councilman Carpinelli well into the future,” Booth said. “I have no doubt given the issues we’ve raised, the hostile takeover of the police and paramedics in Camden, the never-ending list of failed projects in Camden and the sudden creation of a deputy county clerk position for a former assemblyman, others will be joining our ranks. We will work with every individual who follows the leadership of Mayor Pennock and Councilman Carpinelli."