TOMS RIVER, NJ – Toms River Democrat Committeeman Paul Williams, an elected party official who ran for a council nomination said today that the party needs to immediately remove Rhetta Jackson-Fair from the election ticket ahead of the November election.
Williams, who has raised concerns over Fair’s past criminal history today argued that given that history, her relationship with a convicted child sexual predator is the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back.
“The Ocean County and Toms River Democratic leadership, along with the body of the Democratic county committee, should immediately and publicly urge Rhetta Jackson-Fair to withdraw from her candidacy,” Williams said today. “This is in light of the numerous and extraordinary questions and concerns that have been and continue to be brought to light since she was first given a position on the official county line on the ballot during the primary election.”
Williams claims the Democrat party did not properly vet Fair as a candidate.
Williams said during his vetting process, he found that Fair has an extensive criminal history is using her tax-exempt church to receive taxpayer dollars as a code blue shelter, and has been accused of taking advantage of those who seek the service.
“The questions and concerns also include her voluminous criminal history and civil judgments, including a currently outstanding judgment of over $8,000, that was not known when she was given a position on the ballot,” Williams said today. “The fact that she also socializes, during her birthday celebration with her husband and other friends, with at least [name redacted], an individual who had been charged and arrested in connection with the rape of an acquaintances child, plead guilty to a lesser included offense, and is registered with law enforcement as a sex offender.”
Williams went on to say that Fair’s candidacy was officially pushed upon Democrats by former Toms River Township Councilwoman Laurie Huryk. Huryk was the councilwoman who lashed out at Toms River in light of the George Floyd protests, calling the township to ‘do better’ and to be more accommodating to minorities.
A Democrat who wished to remain anonymous today said she is concerned over the relationship alleged by Williams.
“We bring our kids to these events, we should know if a registered sex offender is being brought into the event by a candidate,” she said. “The whole situation is very uncomfortable.”
He said her appearance on the ballot casts a bad light on the Democrat party.
Shore News Network reached out to both Ben Giovine, who is running for mayor in Toms River and Rhetta Jackson-Fair for comment, but has not yet received a response from either candidate.
