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Politics & Government

Camco GOP Elects New Chair

Thomas Booth was elected the new chairman of the CCGOP following last month's resignation of Rick DeMichele.

It was standing-room only Thursday night in the conference room of the Cherry Hill Library when Thomas Booth was elected chair of the Camden County Republican Party.

More than 200 people showed up for the contested election between Booth, a former Voorhees GOP municipal chairman, and Stuart Alterman, a Cherry Hill attorney.

The election had been postponed following the abrupt resignation of Rick DeMichele on March 3. Alterman complained he was not given sufficient notice and also questioned the voting eligibility of committee members appointed by DeMichele.

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One of the first actions taken this evening was a motion to suspend the GOP bylaws so the vote could take place by secret ballot.

Ray Polidoro, a member of the Gloucester Township Republican Municipal Committee, praised the quick decision, saying, “This is good. This will prevent any intimidation factor.”

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County GOP members who were appointed after March 9 (the official day of DeMichele’s resignation) were given a different color ballot and invited to vote first. 

Prior to the vote both candidates were given an opportunity to address the committee.

Booth quoted Ronald Reagan, urging the party members to put aside the in-fighting that has plagued them for months. 

“When was the last time we had this turnout? We don’t need to be the anti-Democrats … Our ideas can stand on their own," said Booth.

When all the votes were tallied, Alterman was the first to shake Booth’s hand. Many felt this meeting was a cleansing process, moving the party forward. 

“County Republicans mobilized and energized themselves!” Polidoro exclaimed. “It is my belief that these same people will find this energy for November elections and we’ll come out a stronger party despite what our opposition believes.”

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