Ocean county freeholder ginny haines endorses never-trumper hugin for state gop chairman

Ocean County Freeholder Ginny Haines endorses never-Trumper Hugin for State GOP Chairman

TOMS RIVER, NJ – New Jersey Republican State Committeewoman Virginia E. Haines has announced her support for 2018 failed U.S. Senate candidate Bob Hugin to fill the vacancy left behind by Doug Steinhardt for New Jersey State GOP Chairman.  Steinhardt, who announced he is running for Governor had to resign his position as state GOP chairman in doing so.

Hugin, who has openly criticized President Trump’s policy on immigration, border security, abortion, and countless other cornerstones of the Trump administration is going against former GOP Chairman Michael Lavery.    Hugin is part of the never-Trumper coalition trying to seize power in the state, reportedly headed by former Governor Chris Christie, GOP Committeeman Willliam Palatucci, Ocean County GOP Chairman Frank Holman, and Haines.  Haines’ support for Trump shows her hand as a player in the anti-Trump conspiracy unfolding in New Jersey as Trump’s exit is now apparent.   Haines is also under consideration for Lt. Governor by Jack Ciattarelli, another never-Trumper who is running for Governor against Steinhardt.

Haines’ vote, reported by the New Jersey Globe highlights the growing political rift in the Ocean County Republican Party.  Under the leadership of Frank Holman, Ocean County is a party divided, evidenced by former Toms River Mayor Thomas Kelaher’s vote for Lavery.  The election between the 41 state GOP takes place virtually on Tuesday.

William Palatucci, former Chris Christie behind-the-scenes power broker also threw his support behind Hugin.   The power move by the Christie-Palatucci-Ciattarelli alliance is painting a clearer picture by the day of the GOP forces in New Jersey rallying for power in the vacuum that will be left when Trump leaves office in January.  Insiders say they are the driving force behind New Jersey’s growing anti-Trump movement in the Republican Party.

Haines serves as an Ocean County Freeholder where she is the eldest Freeholder on the board by age. Her age is unknown.

 

 

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.