DOUG SORANTINO

Citing business troubles that have left him with little time to devote to his party, Doug Sorantino confirmed that he will resign from his post as Cumberland County Republican Chairman tomorrow.

Sorantino, a former freeholder who has been chairman for one year, said that income from his construction supply and trucking company took a nosedive last year, and that his own economic troubles are distracting him from being able to lead the party.   

“This is an important year for Republicans. We haven’t had an opportunity like this in quite a few years, and given the financial situation, my business is in the construction supply industry, I can’t give the organization the attention it needs to be victorious this year,” said Sorantino in a phone interview with PolitickerNJ.  “My priority would be in the wrong place if I didn’t focus on my business… and I didn’t want to shortchange the organization.” 

Cumberland County Clerk Gloria Noto

*Updated

For the moment, Cumberland County Clerk Gloria Noto is joined by three other county-wide Republican elected officials. In January, she will be alone.

Democrats won complete control of the freeholder board this month, 7-0, and knocked out two Republican constitutional officers: Sheriff Michael Barruzza and Surrogate Arthur Marchand. That has left Noto, who’s up for reelection next year after 14 years in office, as the last Republican county-wide election official.

“I don’t have to tell you I’m broken hearted. It’s like losing part of your family,” said Noto.

Noto knows there’s a target on her back – that Cumberland Democratic Chairman Lou Magazzu, who’s also the freeholder director, has his sights set on her. But she said she will definitely run again.