Incumbent Democrats Fend Off Gloucester Primary Challenge

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — The incumbent Democrats easily turned back a primary challenge in Gloucester Township Tuesday night, as all four incumbent council members defeated three challengers for four open seats.

Tuesday night was primary night in New Jersey. Although the Democrats of Camden County offered a vocal challenge to the Camden County Democratic Party, it appears as though that challenge was turned back in Gloucester Township and the stage is set for the Nov. 5 general elections.

Below are unofficial results with 100 percent of precincts reporting, according to the county website. Winners are listed in bold. Results remain unofficial until certified.

Democratic Primary (four seats, contested):

LINDA GILCH, Democrats of Camden County: 1,087

ORLANDO MERCADO, Camden County Democratic Party: 2,557

MICHAEL MIGNONE, Camden County Democratic Party: 2,498

ELLEN REESE, Democrats of Camden County: 1,113

ANDREA STUBBS, Camden County Democratic Party: 2,745

SAM SWEET, Democrats of Camden County: 954

TRACEY TROTTO, Camden County Democratic Party: 2,601

Republican Primary (uncontested):

JOSEPH F. DAMICO III: 1,143

EDWARD L. SMALL: 1,126

As a whole, the Democrats of Camden County have voiced opposition to South Jersey power broker George Norcross. The Democratic Party has a tight grip on county government, as well as local municipal governments. For the second consecutive election, though, candidates are facing primary challengers for many seats.

Norcoross has been closely aligned with most governors over the past two decades, both Democrat and Republican, a powerful insurance executive whose brother, Philip, reportedly once made major changesto legislation before it was passed, according to The New York Times.

He's also a childhood friend of Senate President Steve Sweeney whose politics seem to reflect those of the so-called political boss: fiscally moderate and socially liberal.

Beyond just this primary, infighting among Democrats has taken center stage in Camden County over the last few weeks, as officials have engaged in a war of words with Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy over what they call Murphy's "relentless attacks" on Camden businesses who receive tax incentives from the state.

They called him "hypocritical" following a report that shows Murphy lobbied in favor of tax credits for Goldman Sachs back in 2003. They then called on the chairman of the task force Murphy appointed to examine the state tax credit system to resign due to a perceived conflict of interest.

The Democrats of Camden County have endorsed the task force, and insisted that the task force conduct a comprehensive investigation of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Tax Incentives program.

The task force has said it will release its initial findings ahead of its third public hearing next week.

The Camden County Democratic Party has called the Democrats of Camden County group of Republicans running disguised as Democrats. The Democrats of Camden County have accused the Camden County Democratic Party of running phantom candidates designed to crowd the ballot and confuse voters in the primary.

The general election is Nov. 5. To view the full ballot for Gloucester Township, visit camdencounty.com. For the full list of polling places for this year's elections in Gloucester Township, click here.

See related: REAL TIME RESULTS: Camden County Democratic Primary

Read more here: Primary Elections 2019: Choices Up And Down Gloucester Ballot