SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. — New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Bill Spadea is set to host a high-priced campaign brunch Saturday at Ocean View on the Seaside Heights boardwalk, with former Trump National Security Advisor Michael Flynn appearing as a special guest.
The brunch is sponsored by George Gilmore. Who is Gilmore? Check it out here.
The fundraiser offers two tiers of access: a $3,000 roundtable seat and a $5,800 package that includes both the roundtable and a photo opportunity with Spadea and Flynn. Organized by Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore, the event is one of the most high-profile fundraisers yet in Spadea’s campaign for the 2025 Republican nomination for governor.
According to promotional materials, the event begins at 11:00 a.m. with a roundtable discussion, followed by a noon rally. The brunch is being marketed as both a rally and a fundraising opportunity for major donors.
Gilmore, a longtime GOP operative, earns $5,000 a month as a consultant for Spadea’s campaign. He previously stepped down from his position as chairman of the Ocean County Republican Party following a federal conviction for tax and mortgage fraud. Gilmore was sentenced to one year in prison and was pardoned by President Donald Trump on the last day of his term.
Spadea’s campaign has struggled with financial support in recent months, facing a decline in recurring donations from grassroots supporters. A Politico report revealed that Spadea was being paid $225,000 by the campaign, a disclosure that led to backlash from donors who believed funds were intended to support conservative candidates statewide.
Key points
- Bill Spadea is hosting a $5,800 roundtable and photo-op event in Seaside Heights
- General Michael Flynn is scheduled as a special guest speaker
- The fundraiser is part of Spadea’s 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial campaign
Campaign moves amid donor unrest
The Seaside Heights event follows a misfire earlier this year involving a planned appearance by Lara Trump at a Bedminster event that never materialized. Trump delegate Mike Crispi later described that incident as a “sham,” drawing scrutiny to Spadea’s event planning and fundraising methods.
While Spadea has maintained visibility through conservative media and local appearances, the financial fallout from the Common Sense Club cancellations has placed greater urgency on high-dollar fundraising events like Saturday’s brunch.
The campaign has yet to publicly address the fallout from revelations about internal spending or respond to requests for clarification about how the $225,000 compensation to Spadea was authorized.
Saturday’s fundraiser will be one of the first public appearances by Flynn in New Jersey since his resignation from the Trump administration and subsequent legal battles stemming from the Russia investigation.
Supporters and political observers will be watching closely to see whether Flynn’s presence boosts donor confidence or draws new controversy for the Spadea campaign.
Flynn’s appearance and the $5,800 photo-op mark a critical test for Spadea’s ability to convert national conservative figures into local campaign momentum.