GOP Not Worried About 3rd Party Coming To Toms River

Ahh, Election Day 2011. It's in the history books. It was the fifth election night since I started working at WOBM back in 2006. I must say, it was an exciting night with lots of control being shifted around - most notably in Berkeley and Brick Township's. In Toms River, an independent candidate for Mayor definitely left a lasting impressing on the voters and he's using that to his advantage.

News that independent Mayoral candidate Donald Flett plans to start a third pary in Toms River doesn't phase the Republican organization in Ocean County. With 606 votes in Tuesday's elections, Flett isn't done just yet. Knowing many are fed up with both the donkey and the elephant, he wants to give people another option on the political menu.

No, it's not the tea party. It's for anyone fed up with the current political system. With 50 thousand voters in Toms River who are unaffiliated, could Flett's third party sway the undecided? Ocean County Republican Chairman George Gilmore doesn't think so but he's not at all worried about what Flett's proposing.

Gilmore says Flett has every right to start up his own party but he says the Republican leadership has been tried and true for years in the area and it will continue that way. Gilmore says "more power to Mr. Flett. He can do whatever he wants and if he feels he has a good platform and ideas, run with it. However, the voters of Toms River and the County have spoken. I don't think it will make much difference next time around."

Gilmore adds if Flett or anyone else starts up a third party, the Republicans would keep the focus on giving the people what they want in their leadership. Gilmore also says Flett's recent claim that the Republican party isn't functioning the way the Constitution requires them to is totally false.

The GOP chair points to Mayor Tom Kelaher's re-election as proof positive the people feel their party is doing a good enough job and changes to that structure could cause more problems than good.

Gilmore adds "Mr. Flett's proposal to start the Toms River Citzen's Party or whatever he decides to call it is not the first attempt in the County for someone to do this. There have been many failed attempts before. I don't have time to sit and worry about what a third party does or doesn't do. I care about the issues and my focus has always been on the Republicans and the needs of the people."