Greg mcguckin,john catalano
Greg McGuckin,John Catalano

Kate Gibbs Paid McGuckin, Catalano, Connors, Rumpf and Gove, Received Endorsement Days Later

Posted by
1 min read
April 30, 2020

TOMS RIVER, NJ – As the 2020 Ocean County Republican primary election approached, a bombshell news story in the Asbury Park Press revealed that former Burlington County Freeholder Kate Gibbs had a criminal rap sheet.  That story turned out to be a Valentine’s Day massacre for Gibbs, published on Valentine’s Day, February 14th.    The next day, the Ocean County GOP leadership committee endorsed Gibbs for Congress.

Kate gibbs paid mcguckin, catalano, connors, rumpf and gove, received endorsement days later

Few rank and file Republicans could figure out how their leadership could make a choice that contradicted common sense.  Gibbs was damaged goods, but the executive leaders of the party tied their anchor to Gibbs.   On March 4th, the party overrode the executive team’s endorsement and endorsed Hill Financial CEO David Richter, not Gibbs.   Still, many couldn’t figure out why New Jersey State Assemblymen Greg McGuckin, John Catalano, Rumpf, Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove and Senator Chris Connors continued to endorse Gibbs even today.

A New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission filing by the union that Gibbs operates, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 Political Action and Education Committee might explain why these assembly Republicans haven’t waivered from Gibbs.

Combined, they received $13,200 from that union where Gibbs is employed as Deputy Director.

Gibbs paid Connors, Rumpf and Gove $5,000.  She paid Catalano and McGuckin $8,250 shortly after things went south for her after the February 14th Asbury Park Press story.  They all received checks 13 days later, on February 25th.

 

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.

Don't Miss