HOWELL – Not much Republican Party unity in this town.
Over the last week or so, the local GOP chair has sent out two messages trashing the Republican candidate for mayor.
The mayoral candidate is John Leggio.
The party chair is Joseph DiBella.
Here’s a sampling of what DiBella said in one of his missives:
“As Chair, I can no longer support him (Leggio). Simply put, we can no longer overlook his temper, his foul language and his general unprofessional demeanor. His values are not in alignment with the party or with good decency overall. I therefore ask that county committee members remove his sign from your personal property and ask for a refund of any money you may have contributed to his campaign.(We) should not be supporting Leggio in any way.”
That was not enough.
More recently, DiBella said in another message that Leggio is “unfit to serve” in any capacity.
DiBellla did not respond to an email on the subject.
Leggio, for his part, has not been bashful either.
In a Facebook post of his own, he said he called DiBella a “little weasel” after a candidates’ forum and that he stands by that.
Political friction on the municipal level often goes back a bit and generally includes all types of slights and perceived slights over the years.
A recent problem here was when Leggio ran “off the line” in the June primary and won the Republican mayoral nomination, defeating Ian Nadel, the deputy mayor.
The Democratic candidate this fall is John Hughes.
The men are vying to replace Democratic Mayor Theresa Berger who is not seeking reelection in this Monmouth County town of about 53,000.
Also running are three people for one council seat:
Democrat Rebecca Scott.
Independent Betty L. Velez-Gimbel.
Incumbent Republican Evelyn O’Donnell.
Leggio’s political relationship with O’Donnell may be part of the problem.
DiBella says in his messages that Leggio has been guilty of “unprovoked attacks” on O’Donnell.
Leggio, in a phone conversation, denied saying anything improper regarding O’Donnell, but says in a Facebook post that she has been “part of the establishment” for eight years and that he will not be voting for her.
Another possible problem is what we see in many towns, those who buck the establishment are not always accepted.
As Leggio put it, you “don’t go along and you are an outcast.”
Into this mix, let’s throw in Bill Spadea.
The radio host and 2025 Republican gubernatorial candidate has been in Howell campaigning for Leggio.
Spadea – on the air and in public appearances – enjoys criticizing the state’s GOP establishment.
Leggio seems to be in step with that view.
While he won the Republican primary, Leggio is also running under the label, “No Strings Attached,” which clearly is designed to show independence.
Leggio also said he is not a fan of Jack Ciattarelli, the party’s 2021 gubernatorial candidate who is running again next year. Leggio said Ciattarelli is backed by the GOP establishment in Howell.
Roll it all together and you have the local GOP chair and the party’s mayoral candidate ripping each other online.
As you may suspect, this is something Democrats are delighted to see. Here is a recent post:
“For those who didn’t get a chance to see the Howell municipal candidate debate last night we present Republican municipal chairman DiBella’s comments. It is clear that Republican internal war is at a boiling point and will continue to grow if candidates Leggio, O’Donnell and Velez-Gimbel are elected. This level of dysfunction will not help Howell move forward.”
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Insider NJ recently reported on a tumultuous situation unfolding in Howell, New Jersey, sparking a wave of controversy and confusion among residents. The town has been engulfed in a series of events that have left many scratching their heads and wondering what exactly is going on.
One of the main issues at the center of the hullabaloo is a proposed development project that has divided the community. The project, which aims to build a new shopping center in town, has been met with both support and opposition from residents. Those in favor argue that the development will bring much-needed economic growth and job opportunities to Howell, while opponents fear it will lead to increased traffic congestion and harm the town’s small-town charm.
In addition to the development project, there have been reports of political infighting and backstabbing among local officials, further adding to the chaos in Howell. Accusations of corruption and misconduct have been flying, with some residents calling for investigations into the actions of certain elected officials.
The situation in Howell has also sparked debates about transparency and accountability in local government. Many residents feel that they have been left in the dark about important decisions being made that will impact their community, leading to a breakdown in trust between officials and the public.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the town of Howell will navigate these turbulent waters. Will residents be able to come together and find common ground, or will the divisions deepen and further polarize the community? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain – the recent hullabaloo in Howell has certainly put the town in the spotlight.
