Purdy To Challenge Atlantic County, NJ Republican Chairman Davis

In a major Atlantic County, New Jersey political blockbuster, former Galloway Township Mayor Don Purdy has announced, live on-air today that he is running against long-time Atlantic County Republican Party Chairman Keith Davis.

Davis has served as Atlantic County Republican Party Chairman for the past 16 years. The election for a new Chairman will take place in mid-June, 2022.

Purdy seriously contemplated contesting Davis four years ago, but, in the interest of Atlantic County Republican Party unity, Purdy ended his potential bid.

Purdy has confirmed that in advance of his announcement, that he already has lined up the support of the vast majority of elected officials in Atlantic County’s 23 municipalities.

Purdy will be announcing many of his key supporters (by name) later this week.

Purdy did confirm that he has received the biggest endorsement of them all … New Jersey Senator Vince Polistina, R-2.

Purdy has been a loyal Polistina informal confidante for many years.

The first elected official after Polistina to declare his public support for Purdy for Atlantic County Republican Chairman is Hamilton Township Mayor Charles Cain, who enthusiastically declared his support on-air this morning.

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Purdy is a prodigious fundraiser. Davis is not.

It’s unusual to say this, but, Purdy (the challenger) is the strong favorite at this time. Typically, at the early juncture of a contest phase such as this, things normally favor the incumbent (Davis).

However, a number of problems for Davis are converging all at once:

Davis’ long tenure in the position (16 years) is presently working against him.
Davis’ less than enthusiastic support for Polistina in the 2019 election.
A mood presently exists in Atlantic County Republican circles that it’s time for a change.
Polistina deserves to work with a Chairman with no doubt remaining about his/her loyalty.

By comparison, Senator Michael Testa undoubtedly knows that he has the supreme loyalty of one of his County Chairman.

That’s because Testa, himself, is the Cumberland County Republican Party Chairman.

Testa also has a very loyal Cape May County Regular Party Chairman in Mike Donohue.

Most Atlantic County Republican Party faithful appears to agree that with a new Senator - should come with it - a new County Chairman.

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