Galloway Township Republican League Changes Leadership

UPDATE, 10:37 p.m.: Moliver was unanimously elected GTRL Municipal Leader Monday night, according to Tyrrell. Coombs was unanimously elected GTRL President and Jim Cox was unanimously elected Vice President.

ORIGINAL: Galloway Township Republican League Muncipal Leader Terry Lucarelli and GTRL head Jennifer Heller are resigning from their positions within the league.

Lucarelli confirmed on Monday afternoon, Feb. 25, that she is resigning for personal reasons.

"I will still be on County Committee Committee and an active member of the GTRL," Lucarelli said via email Monday afternoon. "I have been trying to find a replacement for a year.  Finally someone has come forward."

Heller confirmed Monday afternoon she is moving to Absecon and is resigning from her position as a result.

Her resignation was first reported by Galloway Township News.

According to Councilman Brian Tyrrell, the club will name a new municipal leader, as well as president and vice president when it meets tonight, Feb. 25, at Tyrrell said.

Jorge Coombs is a candidate for GTRL President, and Jim Cox is up for vice president, Tyrrell said. Steve Moliver is a leading candidate for municipal leader.

Tyrrell didn't know of any other candidates at this time.

"Terry has organized the Republican Party in Galloway, taking a leadership role when the town Council had but one Republican representing the party," Tyrrell said. "We've come a long way and owe Terry a good deal of gratitude for her service. She'll remain on County Committee and active in the club."

"We're thrilled with what (Heller's) accomplished for the club these past years."

Under Lucarelli's leadership, the league has financed the campaigns of the five Republicans currently on council.

Lucarelli's had a public falling out with the past two mayors of Galloway Township. In October, Galloway Patch reported Mayor Don Purdy was involved in a movement to break away from the Republican Club, and start a new Republican group, due to his falling out with Lucarelli.

In 2011, former Mayor Keith Hartman told Galloway Patch he no longer in the sense that he no longer considered the GTRL's beliefs to be aligned with his own.