Sonny McCullough Successfully Mediates Balles

Fitzherbert Concedes: Balles is the Best Candidate for Freeholder Vacancy

“Hurley in the Morning” has learned and confirmed that former New Jersey Senator and Egg Harbor Township Mayor James J. “Sonny” McCullough met today with Frank Balles and Brian Fitzherbert.

The result is that Fitzherbert has bowed out of the race to succeed former Atlantic County Freeholder Board Chairman Frank Formica, who resigned this past Friday, September 11, 2020.

Fitzherbert immediately endorsed Balles for the position.

Balles has cleared the field in record time.

Here is Senator McCullough's full press release regarding his successful political mediation from earlier today as follows.

Immediate Release

Mayor Sonny McCullough

September 14, 2020

Egg Harbor Township: Mayor Sonny McCullough, a leader of local politics for decades, met this afternoon with the two announced candidates for the Board of Chosen Freeholder seat vacated by Frank Formica on Friday.

Brian Fitzherbert, leader of Atlantic County Young Republicans, has made the decision to step aside from consideration for the vacant seat. “In the best interest of all running in this election cycle, including the current Freeholder candidates, I am withdrawing my name from consideration for the vacant seat,” Fitzherbert stated. “I am endorsing Frank X Balles to fill the vacated Freeholder-at- Large seat. I am giving him my full support.”

Fitzherbert also endorsed the re-election of John Risley and the election of James Toto for Freeholder- at- Large and Andrew Parker for Freeholder District 3.

McCullough, who facilitated the meeting, thinks highly of both candidates. “I believe it is time for Egg Harbor Township and Atlantic County to stand behind one candidate who is best suited to take over the reins at the Freeholder Board immediately,” stated McCullough. “Both of these gentlemen are passionate Republicans who would work hard for the residents of Atlantic County. Frank Balles has the leadership and experience and is the right choice to fill the vacant seat.”