Atlantic County, NJ, Candidate Announces Challenge for Sheriff

Atlantic County, New Jersey Sheriff Joe O’Donoghue is now facing his first announced challenger. It looks like it will amount to a contested Republican Primary Election.

Clifton Sudler

A retired Atlantic County Chief Sheriff’s Officer has just officially announced his candidacy for sheriff earlier today.

Sudler’s Platform

Restore honor, pride, and integrity to the office.
Expand community policing partnerships.
Promote experienced professional leadership from within the agency.
End outside political appointments.

Sudler Has Not Revealed

If he is running as a Democrat or Republican. O’Donoghue is the current incumbent Republican Sheriff.

However, it appears that Sudler is planning to challenge O’Donoghue in the upcoming June, 2026 Republican Primary Election versus his own political party’s incumbent Sheriff.

Sudler is a former registered Democrat, turned Republican.

Sudler Lost His Recent Election For Galloway Township Council On November 4, 2025.

Clifton Sudler Facebook photo.

Sudler Announced his Candidacy On Facebook & Other Social Media Platforms

On January 8, 1990, I began my career as an officer with the Atlantic County Sheriff's Office. As I took the oath, I remember telling myself, "One day, I will be the one administering the oath to new officers because I will become the Sherifff." And so, my journey started. Over the next 25 years, l reached many milestones and earned several promotions, including the position of Chief Sheriff's Officer. Even after retiring, I still hold onto that young man's dream of becoming Sheriff. With that in mind, 1 am officially announcing my candidacy for Atlantic County Sheriff in 2026. I ask for everyone's support to help me complete this journey and make that young man's dream a reality. Follow the story at Sudler 4Sheriff.com and Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, wrote Sudler.