TOMS RIVER, N.J. — Ocean County Republican Chairman George Gilmore is inviting supporters to a campaign fundraising dinner Thursday evening at Villa Amalfi in Toms River to benefit the Republican candidates running in Stafford Township’s 2027 municipal elections.
An offer Stafford officials can’t refuse.
It’s an offer pay-to-play professionals under Gilmore’s grip can’t refuse. Because if they do, they won’t be getting any high-paying political appointments after the election.
The invitation advertises sponsorship levels ranging from $100 for county committee members to $10,000 for campaign sponsors. Individual reservations are listed at $300, while dinner sponsorships are available for $5,000.
Gilmore is no stranger to fundraising and profiting from that fundraising. In 2025, he hosted a lavish fundraiser in Berkeley Township for New Jersey’s only openly homosexual governor, James McGreevey. McGreevey, a Democrat eventually lost his bid for mayor of Jersey City
- George Gilmore is hosting the fundraiser Thursday at Villa Amalfi in Toms River.
- Sponsorship levels range from $100 to $10,000.
- The event supports Stafford Township’s 2027 Republican candidates.
Stafford ticket backed by county GOP
According to the invitation, the event supports Mayor Bob Henken and council candidates Lisa Mower, Amy Otte, Steve Esposito, Owen LaRocca, Chris DarConte and Sergio Fossa. They are Gilmore’s endorsed candidates in the township.
The reception is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Villa Amalfi, located at 1006 Route 166 in Toms River.
The Anticipated Guest List: Stafford Township Professional Appointments
The following professionals and firms, identified as past donors to Gilmore, received professional appointments or contracts from Stafford Township in 2026. Township resolutions awarded roles including legal counsel, municipal prosecutor, public defender, bond counsel, auditor, financial adviser, affordable housing consultant, engineering services and other professional work. The appointments included Jean Cipriani and Rothstein, Mandell, Strohm, Halm & Cipriani; Citta, Holzapfel & Zabarsky; Rumpf Law; Pepe & Wintrode; Dilworth Paxson; Holman Frenia Allison; Phoenix Advisors; CGP&H; Owen, Little & Associates; DeMaio’s Incorporated; and several engineering firms. Many of these firms are pulling six figure payouts from the township and are expected to donate their $10,000 meal tickets this week at Villa Amalfi.
Gilmore remains influential and controversial in Ocean County politics
Gilmore has served for decades as one of New Jersey’s most influential county Republican chairmen, helping shape Republican politics in Ocean County through candidate recruitment, fundraising and party organization.
Gilmore maintains his firm grip on the shaft of Ocean County politics by dishing out public jobs to his political enforcers, their families, wives, children, friends, and campaign donors. This is done by raising money for candidates who remain beholden to Gilmore if they wish to stay in office after their first term. Politicians who cross Gilmore usually face an untimely end to their political careers, so elected officials in Stafford know where the money comes from and who really pulls the strings in township business.
His political career has also drawn significant public attention. In 2019, Gilmore was convicted in federal court on tax-related offenses involving the filing of false tax returns. He was later sentenced to federal prison before returning to political leadership in Ocean County. Gilmore has continued serving as county Republican chairman following his tax-cheat pardon by President Trump and remains an influential, yet self-serving and self-indulgent, political figure within the organization.
The fundraiser comes as local Republican organizations begin organizing and raising money well ahead of the municipal election cycle.
At this time, neither Gilmore nor the Stafford Republicans have explained why the event was not hosted to benefit a business in their own town. Villa Amalfi has long served as Gilmore’s go-to restaurant, where the sausage is made for Ocean County’s controversial GOP chairman.
Italian Restaurants in Stafford Township
Stafford Township offers several highly rated Italian restaurants for diners looking for pizza, pasta, and traditional Italian dishes. Dolce Liberta, located at 100 McKinley Ave., has a 4.7-star rating from approximately 1,200 reviews, with customers praising its atmosphere, friendly staff, and Italian food.
Manera’s Restaurant, at 291 NJ-72 E, holds a 4.6-star rating from 768 reviews and is known for dishes such as chicken Milanese and Caesar salad. Pietro’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, located at 712 E Bay Ave., has earned a 4.4-star rating from 685 reviews, with diners highlighting its old-style Italian atmosphere, generous portions, and food. Fusaro Pizza And Pasta Manahawkin, at 31 N Main St., also has a 4.4-star rating, based on 607 reviews, and receives praise for its selection of pizza slices, quick service, and friendly staff.
FAQ
- When is the fundraiser?
Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Villa Amalfi in Toms River. - How much are sponsorships?
Sponsorships range from $100 for county committee members to $10,000 for campaign sponsors, with individual tickets priced at $300. - Who is hosting the event?
Ocean County Republican Chairman George Gilmore.
Source: Stafford Conservatives 2027 campaign invitation.
