TOMS RIVER, N.J. — With Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore facing mounting criticism from within his party, Republican insiders are increasingly looking ahead to 2026, when Gilmore’s chairmanship could face serious challenges.
Gilmore, once a dominant political figure in New Jersey Republican circles, is now viewed by many as a diminished leader with fading influence.
The latest rupture stems from Gilmore’s decision to back conservative media personality Bill Spadea for governor over former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, who received the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. Gilmore, a convicted felon who was pardoned by Trump in 2021, had once said he “owes his life to President Trump”—a statement that has been resurfacing amid criticism of his political pivot.
Rather than fall in line with Trump’s pick, Gilmore and Spadea are doubling down, setting up a showdown with pro-Trump Republicans in the state.
The move has frustrated many within the Ocean County GOP, where Gilmore’s influence has steadily declined.
Once a prolific fundraiser and gatekeeper of party support, he now controls no official party line and has seen a string of defeats for municipal candidates he has supported.
“Gilmore’s return to politics has been a trainwreck,” said one Republican committee member, speaking on condition of anonymity. “He’s not who he used to be, and most people know it. There’s something missing and his head is always somewhere else.”
As Gilmore’s grip loosens, attention is turning to potential successors who could bring new leadership to the county’s Republican organization.
Rising names in the Ocean County GOP
Senator Carmen Amato of Berkeley Township is widely regarded as a top contender. A former mayor and sitting state senator, Amato is seen as a steady hand with strong local ties. His tenure in both municipal and state politics gives him a broad base of support and credibility with committee members.
Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick has also emerged as a formidable figure. Known for his aggressive campaigning and significant fundraising capacity, Rodrick commands a loyal following in one of the county’s largest municipalities. His growing influence has positioned him as a potential unifier within the fractured local party once it’s cleared of the Gilmore influence that lingers.
Assemblyman Paul Kanitra, a former Point Pleasant Beach mayor, is another rising GOP figure. Kanitra has taken a vocal role in opposing Democratic policies in Trenton, raising his profile among Republican voters. His background in local and state politics could give him cross-regional appeal within Ocean County.
Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy nearly defeated Gilmore in a prior chairmanship contest. Since then, Gilmore has reportedly marginalized many of Mastronardy’s allies. But political observers say a rematch could favor Mastronardy, as many former Gilmore loyalists have distanced themselves from the current chairman in recent years.
Jackson Councilman Mordechai Burnstein is seen as a wildcard. A newer figure in the party, Burnstein could consolidate votes from multiple towns in a split field. His ability to mobilize committee support across key areas could give him a path to victory in a contested chairmanship election.
Then there’s Ocean County Comissioner Frank Sadeghi. Sadeghi ran as Gilmore’s candidate after the former chairman was facing a year and a day in prison, but lost a close race to Frank B. Holman. Since then, Sadegehi has quietly stepped out of Gilmore’s shadow and reversed roles in their relationship. Sadeghi, through his tenure on the Board of Commissioners is also gaining in popularity countywide.
The future of the Ocean County GOP chairmanship remains uncertain, but the path ahead appears increasingly crowded.
With Gilmore’s political capital waning, Republicans across the county are already preparing for a post-Gilmore era.