HOWELL – Organization support may not mean all that much anymore.
At least not here.
John Leggio, a Republican running for mayor, was disowned by the township’s GOP committee. So much so that Chair Joseph DiBella sent out emails calling Leggio “unprofessional” and calling on county committee members to remove his signs from their lawns.
How did that work out?
Leggio got 68 percent of the vote in beating Democrat John Hughes.
Clearly, voters were disinclined to follow the wishes of the local Republican chair.
Forget about any of the petty issues that may have caused this intra-party split. The good news, broadly speaking, is that voters were not beholden to a local party leader.
In a social media post after his victory, Leggio touched on the division within the party.
“We all know Howell is a Republican town and this election result proves it. But there is another message. Over 4,500 people who voted for me did not vote for the establishment Republican Council candidate. People are not happy with the Howell Republican Party and its leadership. It’s time for change.”
As for that leadership, DiBella had a social media message of his own.
He thanked campaign workers and congratulated winning council candidate Evelyn O’Donnell. And he also mentioned the victories of Donald Trump, Rep. Chris Smith and County Commissioner Susan Kiley.
DiBella said nothing about Leggio.
Political grudges tend to last a long time.
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Political grudges are nothing new in the world of politics, but in Howell, New Jersey, they seem to have a particularly strong hold. According to an article by Insider NJ, political grudges in Howell have persisted for years, creating a toxic environment that hinders progress and cooperation.
One of the main reasons for the persistence of political grudges in Howell is the close-knit nature of the community. With a population of just over 50,000 people, Howell is a relatively small town where everyone seems to know everyone else. This can lead to personal conflicts spilling over into the political arena, as individuals bring their personal grievances into their professional relationships.
Another factor contributing to the prevalence of political grudges in Howell is the lack of term limits for elected officials. Without term limits, politicians can remain in office for decades, allowing grudges to fester and grow over time. This can create a culture of animosity and division within the local government, making it difficult for officials to work together effectively.
Additionally, the article points to a history of contentious elections and power struggles in Howell as a contributing factor to the persistence of political grudges. When elections are hotly contested and power changes hands frequently, it can create a sense of instability and mistrust among elected officials, leading to ongoing conflicts and rivalries.
The consequences of these political grudges are far-reaching. They can hinder the ability of local government to effectively serve the needs of the community, as officials become more focused on settling scores and advancing their own agendas than on working together for the greater good. This can lead to gridlock, inefficiency, and a lack of progress on important issues facing the town.
In order to move past these political grudges and create a more productive and collaborative political environment in Howell, it will be important for elected officials to set aside personal differences and work together for the betterment of the community. Term limits could also help to prevent grudges from taking root and growing over time, by ensuring that power is regularly transferred and new perspectives are brought into local government.
Ultimately, addressing the issue of political grudges in Howell will require a concerted effort from all stakeholders – elected officials, community members, and local organizations – to prioritize cooperation, communication, and compromise over personal grievances. Only by working together can Howell move past its history of political discord and create a more harmonious and effective local government.
