Atlantic County GOP chairman reads desperation in Democrats' District 2 ticket

EGG HARBOR CITY – When the better-known names faded, Atlantic County Democrats turned to two relative newcomers – Northfield Councilman Jimmy Martinez and Northfield attorney and Minister Reginald Floyd - who accepted their party’s nomination tonight at the Vienna Inn on the White Horse Pike.

By all accounts good guys in their party’s eyes, the pair nonetheless emanated “B” team presence after freeholders Alisa Cooper and Charlie Garrett and former Atlantic County Prosecutor Jeff Blitz made the rumor rounds as early favorites these last few weeks to face incumbent GOP Assemblyman John Amodeo and Assemblyman Vince Polistina in a South Jersey war - only to decide against running.

Republicans promptly pounced on the news coming out of Egg Harbor City tonight.

“Clearly, everyone else was asked to run before they got down to the two folks they picked this evening,” said Keith Davis, chairman of the Atlantic County Republican Party. “Cooper’s a proven vote-getter, and she didn’t run. The paper down here did six profile pieces and neither (state Sen. Jim) Whelan nor the county Democratic Chair had anything positive to say about Cooper. She was clearly not their first choice.”

Democrats went into full-bore spin mode tonight as they defended a “new blood” Assembly ticket of Martinez and Floyd.

“It’s a diverse ticket,” explained State Democratic Party Chairman Joseph Cryan. 

“These people are stars,” insisted Gov. Jon Corzine. “I’ve been working with Reggie since I got into politics in 1999.”

When asked why there weren’t any women running for the Assembly seats and why women should vote for Martinez and Floyd, County Party Chairman Pat D’Arcy said, “They’re good-looking men.”

Floyd, 45, former public defender for Atlantic City; and Martinez, 38, a former council president now in his second term on the Northfield Council and a small businessman, appeared ready to campaign.

“I wasn’t expected to be asked, but when Pat D’Arcy and Sen. (Jim) Whelan) asked me, I was thrilled and excited,” said Martinez.

“It’s time for fresh faces to create jobs, consolidate services and cut waste in government,” said Floyd. 

The tough and bearded face of the party down here, state Sen. Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic City), said he likes Floyd/Martinez’s chances against Amodeo/Polistina.

“We’ve got to get younger Assembly and Freeholder candidates,” said Whelan. “Two years ago, our opponents ran a local councilman and someone who had never run for office before but who was connected to the party, and they did well. Now we’re doing that and we’re very comfortable with the matchup.” 

Sitting at a table of Linwood delegates near the front of the room, Cooper handed over a brief statement.

“I am most grateful that the Democratic Party asked me to be a candidate for the State Assembly,” she said. “I appreciate their utmost confidence in me as someone who would be an effective representative of the 2nd District in Trenton. My late mother, who served as both a Freeholder and then an Assemblywoman, showed what strong, visionary leadership in Trenton meant for the residents of the 2nd District, and I look forward to someday following in her footsteps. 

“But the voters of Atlantic County re-elected me for a second term to the Atlantic County Freeholder Board only a few months ago – once again, putting their trust and confidence in me,” Cooper added. “I am not about to turn my back on them. In these very difficult economic times, it is my primary responsibility to address the needs and concerns facing Atlantic County, and I am going to honor that commitment.”

In between shaking hands with committee members, Garrett told PolitickerNJ.com, “I’m on a mission as Freeholder. I’m famous for finishing everything I start. I was elected in 2007, and I mean to complete this term.”

Davis read Cooper and Garrett’s back-down and the 11th hour Floyd/Martinez ticket as an undeniable statement of Republican strength.

“These are not high-profile candidates,” said the GOP county chairman. “Clearly, what happened here is the Democrats realize that Vince Polistina and John Amodeo are incredibly strong. They’ve stood up to Jon Corzine as visible and vocal members of the Assembly, and voters have responded to that overwhelmingly.”

Not willing to admit his candidates won’t have to fight for their seats, however, Davis said he noticed the Atlantic County Democrats reported a $8,200 donation from the more powerful Camden Democratic Party machine, which backed Whelan in his 2007 race, and continues to expand its party apparatus in Atlantic.