Toms River, NJ – George Gilmore, once the most powerful Republican kingmaker in New Jersey politics, has sunk to a stunning low — backing yet another losing candidate in a small-town fire district election just months after a bruising defeat in the GOP governor’s primary.
Gilmore, the former Ocean County Republican chairman whose grip on statewide politics once determined elections, saw his candidate Michael Hopson, allegedly his nephew, fall short in a bitterly fought Toms River fire commissioner race. The loss follows Gilmore’s high-profile push for radio host Bill Spadea in the GOP primary for governor, a move that collapsed against Jack Ciattarelli.
Saturday’s contest capped a messy rerun of a February election marred by ballot errors and a dispute over write-in votes. In the rematch, Anthony Cirz emerged victorious, adding to Gilmore’s streak of political setbacks.
Gilmore’s collapse from political giant to sidelined figure began years earlier. Convicted on federal tax charges, he was forced to give up his law license, his post as Ocean County chairman, and his seat on the county election board. A pardon from then-President Donald Trump revived his role in local politics, but his influence has never fully recovered.
These days, the only influence the disgraced chairman wields is with those whom he has secured public jobs for across the county, and his shrinking circle of insiders.
The February fire district election had already been a debacle. Richard Tutela secured one seat outright with 690 votes, but the second seat devolved into controversy after Hopson was initially certified as the winner with 615 votes, narrowly edging Golden’s 614 and Cirz’s 615. The confusion stemmed from how write-in votes were handled. Two votes had gone to candidates already listed on the ballot — one to Cirz, one to Golden.
Dawn Halliwell, the fire district’s financial clerk, counted those ballots despite being advised not to, triggering an appeal that ultimately forced the redo. The new vote handed Cirz a clear victory and left Gilmore empty-handed once again.
For Gilmore, the loss underscores just how far he has fallen from the days when a nod from him could make or break a campaign in the state.
Key Points
- Former Ocean County GOP chairman George Gilmore backed another losing candidate in a Toms River fire commissioner election.
- Gilmore’s fall from power began after a federal tax conviction, though a Trump pardon restored some influence.
- The fire race redo was ordered after ballot mishandling in February, ending with Anthony Cirz defeating Gilmore’s ally Michael Hopson.
