Atlantic City Mayor Small Receives a Trio of Key Endorsements

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small has quickly pivoted from the huge mandate victory to keep the current form of government in place.

Small has now immediately set his sights on the upcoming Tuesday, July 7, 2020 Democratic Primary.

Small’s chief rival is Pam Fields, an electoral newcomer, who has received the formal support of the Atlantic City Democratic Committee.

Fields also has the support of Vote-by-Mail potentate Craig Callaway. And, Governor Murphy has all-but confirmed that the upcoming New Jersey Primary election will be an all Vote-by-Mail electoral process.

However, the sole power to grant the coveted Regular Democratic ballot line belongs to the Atlantic County Democratic Party, Michael Sulieman.

Sulieman almost always sides with the local Democrat organizations.

But, this is very different situation. Small possesses many years of electoral experience and he’s the incumbent. His rival possesses exactly zero electoral experience.

Sulieman will be hard pressed to ignore all of the realities in place an award the Democrat line to a newcomer over an established incumbent veteran.

Small has also done a very competent job, taking over as Mayor, following the difficult circumstances regarding the criminal conviction of former Mayor Frank Gilliam.

Additionally, Small has just received some big endorsements. Both District 2 New Jersey Assemblymen Vince Mazzeo and John Armato have enthusiastically endorsed Small.

I give them both a lot of credit for doing this. They well know that the local Democratic Party has endorsed Fields.

In my view, Small has earned their endorsements. Small has been focused and has demonstrated competence during the impossible Coronavirus global pandemic.

Small delivered two testing facilities for his residents and he’s been working countless hours in an ever-changing and challenging environment.

In a “Hurley in the Morning” exclusive Atlantic City Council President George Tibbitt has just this moment endorsed Small for Mayor.

Tibbitt told me, “After working shoulder-to-shoulder during this pandemic and the entire “Vote No” election ... I believe that Marty Small has earned the right to continue as Mayor for the one year unexpired term,” said Tibbitt.

“In the serious times that we’re facing, there’s no time for on-the-job training. Marty has clearly demonstrated the ability to work hand-in-hand with the state and Atlantic City Council,” said Tibbitt.

Sulieman has a big decision to make. He’ll have to make it very soon.

Stay tuned, I’ll keep you posted with all of the latest developments.

NOTE: Tibbitt will be our guest tomorrow on “Hurley in the Morning,” from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

SOURCES: Numerous Harry Hurley interviews and Mazzeo and Armato endorsement release.