COLLINGSWOOD, N.J. – A growing dispute within the Camden County Democratic Party has intensified after Camden County Democratic Committee Chairman and State Sen. Jim Beach publicly identified nearly 300 Democratic elected officials, committee members, and party activists who did not vote in last month’s contested primary election.
Beach’s email listed 286 Democrats who, according to party records, did not cast ballots in the primary that nominated Camden County Commissioners Louis Cappelli Jr. and Jon Young for re-election. He called their lack of participation “disgraceful” and questioned whether the party should continue supporting those individuals in future elections.
“Frankly, this is disgraceful,” Beach wrote. “Vote-by-mail was available to anyone who couldn’t make Election Day work. Early voting was available. There is no good excuse for a member of this community — let alone an elected official or committee member — sitting out a contested primary.”
Beach added, “If these folks couldn’t be bothered to vote for Cappelli and Young, it’s fair to ask whether we should be bothered to support them next year.”
Collingswood Democrats condemn public release of names
In response, the Collingswood Democrats issued a public statement criticizing Beach’s decision to circulate the list, arguing that voting participation should not be enforced through public embarrassment.
“The recent email circulated by Camden County Democratic Committee Chairman Jim Beach has generated understandable concern among many Democrats and members of the public,” the organization said.
The group stated that while elected officials should remain accountable for their public duties, “we do not believe it is appropriate to publicly shame individuals or to draw attention to the voting records of family members or others in their households who do not hold public office.”
The statement also emphasized that voting remains a personal decision protected by law.
“Voting is one of our most fundamental rights,” the organization said. “At the same time, the decision whether to cast a ballot remains a personal one, protected by law, and should be respected regardless of a person’s position or title.”
Collingswood Democrats concluded by urging party leaders to encourage civic participation through “education, dialogue, and collaboration, not through public intimidation or shame.”
Email follows previous controversy
The latest dispute comes months after Beach drew statewide attention during a legislative hearing over a bill that would have reduced the investigative authority of the Office of the State Comptroller.
During that December committee hearing, Beach, who chaired the Senate State Government Committee, enforced strict speaking limits that resulted in U.S. Sen. Andy Kim’s microphone being turned off after Kim requested additional time to finish his testimony. Beach told Kim, “Why do you think you’re special? You’re not.”
Following the hearing, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin sent Beach a letter alleging the committee’s handling of testimony “plainly discriminated based on viewpoint.” The legislation was later withdrawn amid bipartisan criticism and significant public opposition.
Officials from across Camden County named
Beach’s six-page list included elected officials from municipalities throughout Camden County, including mayors, council members, and township committee members from Gloucester City, Chesilhurst, Clementon, Haddon Heights, Pine Hill, Stratford, Voorhees, and Woodlynne.
Beach has argued that New Jersey’s expanded access to vote-by-mail and early voting leaves little justification for Democratic officials to miss a contested primary election.
The Collingswood Democrats’ statement reflects at least one organized public response opposing the publication of individual voting participation records, saying the issue extends beyond a single election and concerns “the protection of individual rights.”
Related Keywords: Jim Beach, Camden County Democratic Committee, Collingswood Democrats, Camden County primary election, Louis Cappelli Jr., Jon Young, New Jersey Democratic Party, Andy Kim
