Bressi Drops Out of Jackson Race, Endorses Reina; Glory Keeps the Ill-Gotten Cash

Phil Stilton

JACKSON, NJ – Vietnam war veteran and a former longtime member of Jackon’s Township council Ken Bressi today suspended his campaign for council and announced his support for incumbent Mayor Michael Reina.

Bressi, who has had an on-and-off relationship with Reina over the years is the latest prominent Jackson official to endorse Reina for office as many are now defecting from the Clara Glory and Todd Porter camp.

Related: Jackson Republican Club Votes No Confidence in Never Trumper Club President Porter

“Serving this town for close to 40 years has been the greatest honor of my life. However, a long, drawn-out election battle would serve no one. After consulting my family and friends, I am suspending my current candidacy for councilman,” Bressi said today. “I want to thank my supporters for their encouragement over the last few weeks as I prepared my council run. I would also like to thank the many residents who signed petitions for me to run. I am deeply grateful for all your efforts.”


Bressi’s withdrawal also shed light on the ticket behind Reina that includes Jackson business owner Jennifer Kuhn and longtime Jackson school board member Scott Sargent. That ticket was endorsed by the Jackson Republican club on Wednesday.


“Unity is so important for our town, and I am glad that there is a ticket that will accomplish that: I am endorsing the candidacy of incumbent Mayor Mike Reina, who is also endorsed by the Jackson Republican Club and his running mates, Jennifer Kuhn and Scott Sargent,” Bressi said. “This ticket has extensive leadership experience, and it is the right ticket to continue moving our town forward. I wish them much success.”

Glory and Porter have come under fire by Republicans at the county level after they tried to manipulate the free and fair vote held by the majority of the Jackson Republican Club membership in support of Reina.

Glory has indicated she will continue running her candidates for office, Marty Flemming for Mayor and Andy Kern and Samara Porter for council in opposition to the local and county Republican party candidates.

Glory boasts a $40,000 political action committee account funded by former GOP Chairman Frank B. Holman. Glory had indicated that she would be giving some of that money back to the GOP funds which were depleted by Holman in the final hours of his mismanaged reign of the Ocean County GOP.

Chairman George Gilmore this week said Glory has not made good on her promise to return the raided funds back to the county GOP organization.

The endorsement of Reina by Bressi hints at a possible shakeup at the Jackson Municipal Utilities Authority where Glory maintains control of the politically important board.

Glory serves on that board with Porter and political ally Bill Allman. All three are expected to be replaced in the coming years as their terms expire.

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