Politics Aside, Jackson Council, Mayor Endorse Renomination of Prosecutor

by Phil Stilton

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ – When Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer took the job through an appointment by Democrat Governor Phil Murphy, Republicans in the county were irate. Billhimer replaced one of their own, Joseph Coronato. Coronato built a reputation as a hard-nosed, no-nonsense prosecutor, but as they say, elections have consequences.

Phil Murphy defeated Kim Guadagno and became governor, giving him the sole discretion to replace Coronato after his term, appointed by former Governor Chris Christie, expired.

In the years since, Billhimer has proven to local officials that he’s not a liberal, left-wing judge who came to power simply to push a radical agenda. He has been firm on crime, involved in local communities and has not exhibited the anticipated actions of his Republican detractors.

On Tuesday, the Jackson Council, an all-Republican body voted unanimously to support Murphy’s reappointment of Billhimer, putting politics aside.


Mayor Michael Reina also agreed that Billhimer was doing a good job and stressed that the county needs continuity in the legal process. Typically,, prosecutors are appointed every time there is a state-level leadership change.


Billhimer has also received support from the all-Republican county commissioner board. He is expected to officially be reappointed by Governor Murphy to a second four-year term.


Born in Ocean County, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer achieved an Associates Degree in General Education from Ocean County College before transitioning to Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. Graduating with honors as part of the Dean’s List, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1994.

Prosecutor Billhimer’s journey into public service commenced in 1994 in Washington, D.C., where he interned for former United States Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ). Pursuing his legal education, he attended Widener University School of Law in Wilmington, Delaware. There, he actively participated as Vice President of the Student Bar Association, represented the campus as a liaison for the American Bar Association-Law School Division, and served as Vice President of the Sports & Entertainment Law Society. In 2000, he successfully earned his Juris Doctorate, also receiving the prestigious Dean Arthur A. Weeks Outstanding Service Award for his graduating class.

Post his legal studies, Prosecutor Billhimer continued his dedication to public service by serving as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Barbara Ann Villano, J.S.C. (now retired) in Ocean County during the 2000-2001 court term. Following this tenure, he ventured into private practice, initially joining an associate position with a Toms River-based law firm. Subsequently, he became a partner at the Law Offices of Mohel & Billhimer. In February 2010, he embarked on an independent legal practice, primarily concentrating on criminal defense litigation within both the Superior and Municipal Courts. Simultaneously, from 2005 through 2018, he shared his legal expertise as an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure at Ocean County College.

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During his tenure in the private sector, Prosecutor Billhimer contributed to the legal community by serving two consecutive terms on the District IIIA Ethics Committee and participating in the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Character for prospective New Jersey State Bar applicants. He also held positions of responsibility, including membership in the Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointment Committee for the Ocean County Bar Association. Beyond his legal engagements, he actively participated on the Board of Trustees for the Community Medical Center Foundation and the People’s Pantry. He maintains membership in the Ocean County Bar Association and the New Jersey State Bar Association.

In September 2018, Governor Philip Murphy appointed him as the Ocean County Prosecutor. On October 09, 2018, Prosecutor Billhimer took the oath of office in front of his family, friends, and colleagues, administered by the Honorable Marlene Lynch Ford, A.J.S.C.

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