TOMS RIVER, N.J. — When Bruce Springsteen canceled a concert because there were no transgender males in women’s bathrooms, one now-Republican local official supported the decision made by The Boss.
A Facebook post shared by Toms River Republican County Committee Chairman Peter Van Dyke in 2016 has resurfaced, showing him reposting Bruce Springsteen’s statement announcing the cancellation of a Greensboro, North Carolina concert in protest of the state’s HB2 law, commonly known as the “bathroom bill.”
The post, originally shared on April 8, 2016, contains Springsteen’s full public statement explaining why he canceled the performance. In the statement, Springsteen wrote that North Carolina’s newly enacted law “attacks the rights of LGBT citizens” and said, “Some things are more important than a rock show.”
Van Dyke’s Facebook page shows that he shared Springsteen’s statement shortly after it was published, typically a sign of endorsement.
“He supports men in women’s bathrooms,” Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick said.
Springsteen cited opposition to HB2
In his statement, Springsteen said he believed HB2 represented “an attempt by people who cannot stand the progress our country has made in recognizing the human rights of all of our citizens to overturn that progress.”
“As a result, and with deepest apologies to our dedicated fans in Greensboro, we have canceled our show,” Springsteen wrote. “Some things are more important than a rock show and this fight against prejudice and bigotry … is one of them.”
The concert cancellation became one of the most widely publicized celebrity boycotts following North Carolina’s passage of HB2.
Post resurfaces during Van Dyke’s current political role
The resurfaced post comes as Van Dyke serves as chairman of the Toms River Republican organization and is expected to be the candidate endorsed by Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore the office of mayor in 2027.
Van Dyke is also involved in ongoing litigation involving Toms River Township. Court records show he has filed legal actions relating to township employment matters and represents Toms River Municipal Utilities Authority Commissioner Phil Brilliant in litigation involving the township. That litigation is seeking to force the mayor to hire a “Mo Hill Club” political operative inside town hall, Norieko Kowaleski.
The town council voted to force the township to hire its political operative inside town hall earlier this year. Rodrick declared that he cannot be forced to hire the political campaign manager. Now, Phil Brilliant, the MUA leader who is under fire for taking full medical benefits for serving just one hour per month is suing the township to hire Kowaleski.
Van Dyke is the lawyer representing Brilliant against the township. The matter will return to court on August 28th.
Separately, Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick has publicly criticized Van Dyke, describing him as “a far-left Trump-hating former Democrat who became a Republican only so he could get public contracts.”
Shore News Network contacted Van Dyke for comment regarding both the resurfaced Facebook posts and Rodrick’s remarks.
As of publication, Van Dyke had not responded.
Political positions can evolve
The resurfaced Facebook post reflects Van Dyke’s public activity in 2016. It does not, by itself, establish his current views regarding HB2, transgender issues, or Bruce Springsteen’s decision to cancel the concert. Public figures’ political positions can change over time. In this case, Rodrick says Van Dyke’s political position changed when the Democrat allegedly became a Republican in order to secure legal contracts from the township under former Toms River Mayor Thomas Kelaher.
Van Dyke was given an opportunity to reply to Rodrick’s allegations, but has so far refused to comment.
- Van Dyke shared Bruce Springsteen’s April 8, 2016 Facebook statement.
- Springsteen canceled his Greensboro concert in protest of North Carolina’s HB2 law.
- Van Dyke is the current chairman of the Toms River Republican organization.
- He is expected to run for mayor of Toms River in 2027.
- Van Dyke is involved in ongoing litigation with Toms River Township.
- Mayor Dan Rodrick has publicly criticized Van Dyke; those remarks are attributed and Van Dyke was contacted for comment.
FAQ
- Did Peter Van Dyke share Bruce Springsteen’s statement?
- Yes. He shared Springsteen’s public Facebook post.
- Why did Bruce Springsteen cancel the concert?
- Springsteen said he opposed North Carolina’s HB2 law and believed canceling the concert was an appropriate response for banning men in women’s bathrooms.
- Does the resurfaced post prove Van Dyke still holds those views?
- The post documents that he shared the statement in 2016, but he has not since publicly changed his position.
- Has Van Dyke commented on the resurfaced post?
- As of publication, he had not responded to Shore News Network’s request for comment.
Sources: Bruce Springsteen, Facebook, Toms River Township court filings
