Atlantic County, NJ, Sheriff Did Not Make Candidate Endorsements

There is a political endorsement controversy brewing today in Atlantic County, New Jersey — that we can easily settle here and now.

Did He?

Did Atlantic County Sheriff Joe O’Donoghue make any endorsements in the upcoming June 2, 2026 Republican Primary Election?

The short answer is, no.

However,

There is an impression today on social media that O’Donoghue did make one or more Republican candidate endorsements.

Exhibit # 1

The above photo (left to right) is former New Jersey State Senator James “Sonny” McCullough, Doris Dilley (Egg Harbor Township Committee candidate) and O’Donoghue.

McCullough is also the former and most popular Mayor in Egg Harbor Township history.

This all started quite harmlessly, when Senator McCullough asked to take a photo with Sheriff O’Donoghue. The next thing O’Donoghue knew, Dilley was also in the photo.

While no endorsement has been made by O’Donoghue, the photo was posted on social media and it gives the appearance of an endorsement.

Exhibit # 2

There is no ambiguity with this one. After the Doris Dilley — McCullough — O’Donoghue photo was published … this one (see above) followed right behind it.

The above photo says ”endorsement alert” and it was published by the Paul Hudson & Laura Pfrommer campaign for election … along with this message (see below):

Atlantic County Sheriff Joe O’Donoghue Does Not Make Endorsements In A Republican Primary

O’Donoghue has not made an endorsement in the Egg Harbor Township Committee Republican Primary election.

More Dilly Photos With Current, Prominent Atlantic County Elected Officials

These are also not endorsements.

Dilley Made A Strong Showing Last Year

Dilley challenged then appointed Egg Harbor Township Committeeman Paul Rosenberg and last year‘s Republican Primary election.

Rosenberg won the Republican Primary election versus Dilley last year by a small margin.

Rosenberg lost the General Election last year to Pete Castalano, who became the first Democrat in more than 30 years to win a seat on the Egg Harbor Township Committee.

Hodson and Pfrommer Areca much tougher draw than Rosenberg for Dilley.

Sheriff Joe O’Donoghue Should Be Held Harmless

If not properly mitigated, this is the kind of incident that could get both sides of the Republican Party mad at O’Donoghue.

O’Donoghue did absolutely nothing wrong here. He has a long stated policy of not endorsing in any Republican Primary election.

Others should not place him in an awkward situation, not of his doing.

NOTE: I reached out to Atlantic County Sheriff Joe O’Donoghue for a comment for this article. O’Donoghue politely declined to comment, as he did not want to divide the Atlantic County Republican Party.

ADDENDUM

O’Donoghue has released a statement about this situation: