Cape May County sees political shifts with new leaders and re-elections
In Cape May County, New Jersey, political changes have taken place recently. Bobby Barr, a former Democrat and Ocean City council president, became a county commissioner in 2023 following the resignation of Marie Hayes. Hayes left to become Cape May County Surrogate, a position now held by Leonard Desiderio. Meanwhile, County Clerk Rita Rothberg secured a fifth consecutive term without opposition.
Barr's political journey is notable. He switched parties after Rep. Jeff Van Drew, an ally, became a Republican. Barr's rise to county commissioner came after Hayes' departure, marking a shift in local politics.
Rothberg's re-election is also significant. Her first victory in 2005 followed the death of Angela Pulvino, a local political legend. Rothberg, previously known as Rita Fulginiti, has maintained her position since her marriage to Michael Rothberg in 2020.
In the 2022 elections, two Republican county commissioners, Andrew Bulakowski and Bobby Barr, won by a substantial margin. They defeated their lone Democratic challenger, Eric Morey, by about 8,000 votes. Bulakowski, a senior representative of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, was elected after Gerald Thornton retired following 39 years in county government.
These changes reflect a mix of continuity and change in Cape May County politics. Rothberg's re-election provides stability, while Barr's appointment and Bulakowski's win bring new faces to county governance.
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