O'Toole assumes lead role of GOP chairmen

State Sen. Kevin O'Toole (R-Essex): Politicker Photo

Republicans on Wednesday night at the Princeton Hyatt unanimously elected Essex County Republican Chairman Sen. Kevin O'Toole (R-Essex) as leader of the GOP county chair people.

The chairs also unanimously elected Warren County Chair Doug Steinhardt as vice chair; Atlantic Chairman Keith Davis as treasurer, and Camden Chair Richard DeMichele as secretary.

"Kevin brings an interesting perspective," said outgoing Chairman George Gilmore, who is the Ocean County GOP chairman. "He serves in the Legislature and the Senate, and is in a unique position to build the party with the State Committee.

"Bergen's going to be a key county to look at," Gilmore added. "It used to be Republican. It's a county we need to work, to improve the party in this election and beyond, but there are a lot of opportunities across the state."

O'Toole was Gilmore's choice as his successor.

In his acceptance speech before his fellow chairmen, O'Toole said he wants to improve coordination and communication among chairs.

"The meeting was all about setting a good tone for the year," said Davis. "He's got huge shoes to fill after Chairman Gilmore, but Kevin's up to the task.

"Kevin's a doer," Davis added. "He told us his poltiical staff people are at our disposal to work with us to get Republicans elected."

Bill Layton, Republican chair of Burlington County, said O'Toole brings the right combination of passion and work ethic.

"It's difficult to think of a harder working elected official in the state," Layton said.

Of the long-serving Gilmore, "George set the table for us," DeMichelle said.

"As the new chairmen came on board, George Gilmore was always one of the first to reach out," added the Camden County chairman. "We're going to continue to grow, and Kevin's going to carry forward a very aggressive agenda."

Gilmore, who has served as chair of the chairs for eight years, has been designated victory chair of the McCain campaign. The former state director of Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign said making the transition to McCain has been easy for him.

"When he lost, Rudy immediately endorsed John McCain. He said all along if he hadn't run he would have supported McCain," Gilmore said.

"The fact that he's opened a headquarters in Woodbridge indicates that McCain is serious about campaigning and playing in this state, and we are eager to make our argument for why he would be the better president," Gilmore added.

O'Toole, a primary election supporter of McCain's, serves as a member of the McCain Campaign's steering committee in New Jersey.