Camden And Gloucester GOP Organizations Collect Over 500 Toys At Annual Toys for Tots Event

Jacci Vigilante, Santa Claus & Rich Ambrosino

Last night, for the third year in a row, Republicans from Gloucester and Camden Counties came together for what has become a tradition, their annual joint collection event for Toys for Tots at Adelphia Restaurant.

It was a well-attended event with all three CD2 congressional candidates, David Richter, Bob Patterson and Brian Fitzherbert working the room. CD1 congressional candidate Josh Duvall was working the room. Currently exploring a run in CD1, Claire Gustafson, arrived with Santa Claus (a source close to Gustafson, namely me, said to watch for an announcement from Gustafson soon). One US Senate candidate, Rik Mehta, was smart enough to recognize that Camden County ranks ninth in statewide Republican voter registration and showed up to work the room. Several local elected officials made appearances and the last Republican to serve as Camden County’s Freeholder-Director Joe Condo was on hand.

It was their most successful joint collection event, beating last year’s collection of 400 toys by more than 100.

Following is the joint statement on the event from Gloucester County Republican Chairwoman Jacci Vigilante and Camden County GOP Chairman Rich Ambrosino:

DEPTFORD – Last night the Camden County and Gloucester County Republican organizations came together for their third annual joint collection event for Toys for Tots at Adelphia Restaurant.

“Our two organizations work well together,” Gloucester County Republican Chairwoman Jacci Vigilante said. “We share parts of two congressional districts, two state legislative districts and office space. While our two organizations often work together to try to win elections, this particular event is without a doubt a favorite of the rank-and-file. Everyone is happy to come together for this good cause.”

The two organizations combined to collect more than 500 toys for children that might otherwise have little to celebrate at Christmas.

“Our joint Toys for Tots collection has quickly become a tradition for our organizations,” Camden County Republican Chairman Rich Ambrosino said. “Many members of our organizations are considered community leaders, as such, it is important we are active within the community. This is to us, one great way of giving a little back and we’re all happy to do it.”

PRESS RELEASE: It Didn’t Take Long For Josh Duvall To Break Reagan’s 11th Commandment

It looks like sparks are already starting to fly in CD1 and one of the combatants is still exploring the possibility of getting into the race. Back on November 12th Republican Claire Gustafson issued a statement announcing she is exploring the possibility of getting into the CD1 race. Yesterday, announced GOP candidate Josh Duvall issued a statement taking issue with some of what Gustafson said (I double checked my personal and the radio show’s email accounts, we did not get Duvall’s statement, unless it’s sitting in the SPAM folder). This morning, Gustafson responded to Duvall’s remarks of yesterday. Her press release follows:

COLLINGSWOOD – On November 12 Republican Claire Gustafson announced she formed an exploratory committee to gauge interest and support into a possible candidacy for Congress in CD1.

Announced Republican candidate for Congress in CD1, Josh Duvall, took issue with the fact Gustafson said, “Republicans I’ve talked with don’t want a wishy-washy middle-of-the-road nominee pandering for Democrat votes.” Duvall said in a statement, “She labeled me as ‘wishy-washy’, ‘pandering’, weak on pro-life issues and the Second Amendment.”

“I don’t know why Josh Duvall would think I was speaking of him,” Claire Gustafson said. “There have been rumors out there for months that a realtor out of Washington Township is considering running for Congress. The fact is I merely stated what Republicans have said to me, that they don’t want a wishy-washy middle-of-the-road nominee pandering for Democrat votes.”

Greenwich Township Mayor George W. Shivery, Jr. said, “Claire Gustafson has a solid reputation and has stepped up for the Republican Party many times over the years. If history has taught us anything Claire Gustafson would have mentioned Josh Duvall by name if she were talking about him. Duvall should apologize for this unprovoked attack.”

“I found Josh’s remark that he was disgusted with ‘partisan politics’ odd considering if I decide to make my candidacy official we will be running in a partisan primary election,” Gustafson said. “The very nature of primary elections are partisan, filing as a Republican is a partisan act. Seriously, who performs an act that disgusts them?”

“Obviously it upsets Josh that I’m considering getting into this race,” Gustafson said. “I’ve met Josh, I like Josh, he’s a nice young man. Unfortunately, he’s just a little inexperienced. Whatever the case, when I issued my statement I was careful to honor Ronald Reagan’s 11th Commandment and did not speak ill of any fellow Republican. Josh Duvall violated that Commandment.”

Note: To be completely transparent with our readers and listeners, Claire Gustafson is a personal friend, former client and if she chooses to get into the race will likely be a client again.

PRESS RELEASE: New Jersey is Thought to be Corrupt. The EDA/Norcross Hearing Charade Just Proved it is.

With all the Sue Altman hubbub we missed a press release sent to us from Josh Duvall’s congressional campaign yesterday. Here it is:

CHERRY HILL - NJ CD-1 GOP candidate Josh Duvall released the following statement:

“You don’t have to agree with progressive activists like Sue Altman to see that the EDA tax incentive hearing she was dragged out of Monday was a charade. On top of that, for a party supposedly committed to valuing women and supporting democracy, Democratic State Senate leaders sure didn’t seem to have any problem using such heavy-handed tactics to silence a dissenting voice. I don’t agree with Altman on much politically, but how she was treated in this public hearing was wrong.”

“I wish I could say the hypocrisy of Democratic leaders in this state was surprising, but instead it’s all too predictable.”

“The very same progressive activists who are now railing against the ‘Norcross-Machine’ and their alleged corruption of government tax programs are the same people that have worked to get these Democratic candidates elected every cycle over the last few decades.”

“Who funds these Democratic candidates that have created a massive majority in state government leading to the alleged crony-capitalist problems we are now experiencing? George Norcross and his General-Majority PAC.”

“The current ‘civil war’ in the state Democrat party is really just an incestuous affair.”

“Haven’t taxpayers and voters in New Jersey had enough of the one-party rule status quo? What higher level of income taxes, property taxes, out-migration, and corruption must be attained before voters realize the very candidates that created these problems are the ones now saying they can fix them? What will it take for citizens of this state to understand that more government is the cause of our state’s problems...not the solution?”