In a major win for Ocean County Republican Chairman George Gilmore, at their annual convention this evening, the party voted to certify the Toms River Regular Republican Club by a vote of 143-80.

Tonight’s vote means the old party, known as the Toms River Regular Republican Club, which was aligned with Gilmore, is now back in power after a three year hiatus.

The Republicans for Toms River group, which is aligned with former Toms River Mayor Mo Hill, replaced the Toms River Regular Republican Club as the township’s official municipal Republican club at the 2021 nominating convention after then-Ocean County Republican Chairman Frank Holman, who was narrowly elected to replace the recently-resigned George Gilmore, was looking to push aside the Gilmore-influenced group.

Yesterday, as first reported by TLS, Assemblyman Greg McGuckin (R-Toms River), a Hill ally who had sparred with Gilmore and Rodrick, switched to the new club this week.

Also at the convention, the party awarded the official line to U.S. Senate candidate Curtis Bashaw, giving him a prime ballot position in one of the largest Republican counties in the state.

Bashaw, who previously served as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority under former Governor James McGreevey, is seeking the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Senator Bob Menendez.

And for the County Commissioner seat left vacant by the announced retirements of incumbents Gary Quinn and Bobbi Jo Crea, Manchester Mayor Rob Arace and Berkeley Township Board of Education member Jennifer Bacchione received the party endorsements.