Atlantic County, NJ - Polistina - Levinson

Atlantic County, New Jersey Republicans went from their greatest Election Day in history on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 … to an unprecedented public feud between New Jersey Senator Vince Polistina, Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson and Atlantic County Republican Party Chairman Don Purdy … that began on December 8, 2023.

It’s regrettable, as Polistina has publicly noted that he and Levinson have been friends for more than 25 years.

The political firestorm is a result of the possible awarding of an insurance contract to a company affiliated with Camden County Democratic political potentate George E. Norcross, III.

Polistina was the recipient of a market saturation level (hyper-negative, aggressive) media campaign waged against him that likely exceeded $4 million.

The thought of an insurance contract being awarded in this manner did not sit well with Purdy or Polistina.

Polistina and Purdy both appeared on-air with me and criticized the situation, with Polistina saying that “Denny knifed me in the back.”

Before the December 8, 2023 public outing of Levinson, here is exactly what Levinson said on Tuesday night, November 7, 2023 at the Atlantic County Republican victory party:

I want to thank you all for bearing with me I had a rough winter. This is the first year I didn't pull my weight so I most assuredly want to thank the team behind me - you carried me. And Don I can't say enough about your leadership. And Vince - you know I'd like to apologize for what they did to you but I didn't do it. And on a serious note I've run in some campaigns that were just horrible and the ones that got the brunt of it is your family - your kids in school - somebody will say something well I saw it on TV it must be true or I heard it on the internet it must be true. And you wonder why people shy away from politics - to have 4 million dollars spent against you with nothing but lies and still come through like gangbusters. This is by far the finest ticket that I ever ran on. And as I said this is the finest ticket I have ever run on. And how about Purdy he's not good with numbers except his stock portfolio. I'll see ya. I love ya, said Levinson.

Levinson now says that the campaign waged against Polistina wasn’t that bad … however, his comments on election night are much more accurate.

A meeting of the autonomous Atlantic County insurance board took place less than one hour after Polistina and Purdy appeared on-air with me.

The board tabled any action on awarding a property casualty insurance contract until they interview both bidders on December 19, 2023. They may award the contract on this same day.

The delay is clearly as a direct result of Polistina and Purdy going public about the existence of this board and the process.

Levinson has hit back hard at Polistina and Purdy during two recent local radio appearances … disproportionate to what Polistina and Purdy said about him.

Polistina appeared ready to turn the page and move forward together, however, with Levinson now punching back … it looks like it will take a skillful intervention to de-escalate this raging political storm.

Let me evoke Matthew 5:9 … Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Polistina and Levinson are two of the absolute best in the state of New Jersey at what they do.

I remain confident that they will work this out together … because Polistina and Levinson always put the citizens first in everything that they do in their public elective positions.