Two Republican renegades back Democrats in Burlington

They couldn’t beat the GOP machine outright, so they’ve decided to toss a wrench into the Burlington County freeholders’ race.

Republican elected officials Jon Shevelew and Debbie Sarcone announced today that they intend to back the Democratic team of Chris Brown and Mary Anne Reinhart.

Shevelew, the Republican Mayor of Shamong, and Sarcone, the only Republican elected official in Evesham, ran off the line together as freeholder candidates in the Republican primary.

At the time, Burlington County Republican Chairman Bill Layton called them "bugs on the windshield" in the face of GOP Freeholder Director Aubrey Fenton and his running mate, Freeholder Stacy Jordan.

"Mary Anne and I have served together for many years in Shamong and although I often disagree with her positions on the issues I never question her integrity or commitment to improving the lives of the residents she serves," Shevelew said in a statement. "Mary Anne is a unique candidate and someone Burlington County voters regardless of party ideology should support this November. She would be a tremendous Freeholder."

Added Sarcone of Brown, "While Chris and I have certainly not always seen eye to eye when it comes to different issues, there is never any doubt in my mind that he puts the interests of Evesham residents first. That is the kind of person we need on the Freeholder Board and would be a stark contrast to his opponents."

Layton issued a statement in response to his party rivals' decision to back the Democrats.

"They are a pair of politically disgruntled sore losers who have now taken their free spending, tax increasing philosophy to where it rightly belongs --- the Democrat party," said the GOP chairman.

"In fact, I will send change of party affiliation cards to both of them so they can cement their credentials as big spending liberal Democrats," he added. "I'll send the forms to the county Democrat headquarters so Shevelew and Sarcone can pick them up when they arrive for work."