SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. — Ocean County Commissioner Robert Arace, a Republican, appeared alongside New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, a Democrat and appointee of Gov. Phil Murphy, on the Seaside Heights boardwalk Tuesday to kick off the state’s annual “Safe Summer” compliance initiative.
According to Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore, Commissioner Arace is the “next Republican governor of New Jersey” and he appears to have already kicked off his 2029 campaign, before the 2025 election has even taken place. The chairman is friends with Governor Phil Murphy and has been spotted occasionally having lunch with the govenor in Red Bank.
The bipartisan showing comes as Platkin, who currently has nearly 20 active lawsuits filed against former President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies, continues to lead statewide efforts on consumer protection and regulatory enforcement.
The event marked the start of summer-long inspections of boardwalk games and businesses by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. The initiative checks for visible pricing, clear refund policies, and fair gameplay. The Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission and the State Office of Weights and Measures also participated in the inspections.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has filed or joined at least 17 lawsuits against the Trump administration as of July 1. These lawsuits challenge various executive orders and actions, including those related to birthright citizenship, federal funding cuts, voting restrictions, public health data sharing, and the dismantling of federal agencies like AmeriCorps. Examples include:
- A lawsuit against an executive order limiting birthright citizenship.
- A lawsuit with 22 attorneys general challenging National Institutes of Health funding cuts.
- A lawsuit alleging illegal cancellation of congressionally approved grants.
- Two lawsuits against conditions on federal funding for public safety and transportation.
- A lawsuit challenging the dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
- A lawsuit against the dismantling of AmeriCorps.
- A lawsuit against the sharing of personal health data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- Additional lawsuits addressing voting restrictions, public health funding, and scientific research grants.
The exact number may be higher, as new lawsuits are filed regularly. For the most precise count, further monitoring of legal filings would be needed. If you’d like, I can search for more recent updates or provide details on specific lawsuits.
Arace was joined by Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, Consumer Affairs Director Ronald Heinzman, Seaside Heights Police Chief Thomas Boyd, and Seaside Heights Mayor Anthony Vaz. Vaz, a Republican and underling of the GOP Chairman, endorsed Governor Murphy in the 2021 gubernatorial election.
Educational materials were distributed to boardwalk visitors to raise awareness about consumer rights and fraud prevention.
While Platkin has been a frequent legal opponent of Republican-aligned federal policies, including on environmental, immigration, and regulatory issues, his appearance with Arace emphasized shared priorities at the state and local level.
The Safe Summer program is a recurring initiative designed to protect residents and tourists along the Jersey Shore during the busy summer season.