South Jersey Progressive Democrats Speak Up for a Fair Endorsement Process at the Camden County Democrats’ Endorsement Meeting

On Thursday, March 24, 2022, members of South Jersey Progressive Democrats attended the endorsement meeting of the Camden County Democrats. At that meeting, the Merchantville Democratic committee members who won seats off the line in the June 2021 Primary objected to  the Camden County Democrats’ operations and attempted to make a nomination from the floor. They were shut out of the process by Camden County Chairman Jim Beach.

The Camden County Democrats’ endorsement meeting was 25 minutes long and consisted of speeches made by Norcross and Beach.  Incumbents were simultaneously nominated and endorsed. Endorsements of the incumbents were made without any discussion or deliberation. Speaking from the floor, Merchantville Democratic committee member Joe Bouvier  tried to object to the process and was told to be quiet by Chairman Beach. Bouvier’s attempts at fair process advocacy were supported by fellow Merchantville Democratic Committee members Chester Hicks and Nina Scarpa.

This year’s Democratic Primary will be a contested one in Camden County, with Mario Desantis challenging Donald Norcross for Congress in District 1. Challenger candidates Becky Fletcher Holloway and Wim Schrieks will be running for county commission against incumbents Carmen Rodriguez and Ed McDonell. All three challenger candidates will be running under the banner of South Jersey Progressive Democrats.

“As a member of the Camden County Democratic Committee representing the Borough of Merchantville, it is inconceivable to me that the County Committee leaders would ask its members to make endorsements in these important races before we even know the platforms of all the candidates who are running. Such a biased process smacks of pre-selection, arrogance, and a belief that people in power are entitled to their elected positions which is flat-out wrong,” said Joe Bouvier, Merchantville Democratic Committee member. “We as a committee should be encouraging qualified people to run for office and not hinder their efforts in any way. Our democracy demands no less and our party will suffer greatly if we restrict voter options and participation.

“The residents of Camden County deserve an election process that is truly democratic, not one that is done in back rooms to prop up favorite sons,” said Becky Fletcher Holloway, progressive challenger candidate for Camden County Commissioner. “The CCDC should adopt a process that is open and transparent without endorsing ahead of time as if the primary were a foregone conclusion.”

“We need a real convention here in Camden County, one that features speeches from the candidates, a Q and A, and secret ballot voting,” said Kate Delany, President of South Jersey Progressive Democrats. “I would urge the Camden County Democrats to look to Ocean and Atlantic Counties as examples and hold a convention and adopt a democratic process for endorsements.”