ATLANTIC DAILY SENTINEL
Atlantic County New Jersey

Democrats Challenge McCullough to Renounce Dual Office Holding By Relinquishing One of Two Offices

Calls on unelected Senator to choose one seat: Mayor or State Senator

Submitted by Ron Ruff, Atlantic County Democratic Party Chairman
Published Feb. 22, 2007

(Northfield, NJ) – Atlantic County Democratic Party Chairman Ron Ruff today called on Sonny McCullough, the district's new, unelected state senator, to renounce dual office holding and immediately resign as either Egg Harbor Township Mayor or State Senator.

"I am challenging temporary Senator/Mayor McCullough to do the right thing and relinquish one of the two taxpayer-funded government positions he now holds," Ruff said. "It would be inconceivable for him to take the oath of office to a second position at the very time the state legislature is trying to put an end to the practice of dual office holding. Why turn back the clock?"

Acting Senator/Mayor McCullough's appointment to the Senate, at a time he still receives a public salary and pension as a Mayor, sends the wrong message to Trenton and residents of Atlantic County that dual office holding is acceptable. Does this mean that Atlantic County Republicans support the practice of someone holding more than one public office? Even County Executive Dennis Levinson has denounced dual office-holding in county government.

Ruff said the Acting Senator/Mayor should follow recently elected Democratic Freeholder Frank Giordano's lead in resigning from one of his two seats. Giordano resigned from Hamilton Township Committee after his election to the county freeholder board in November.

"The Atlantic County Democratic Reform team represents change and open government that includes a ban on dual office holding. It's time for McCullough to follow our lead and do the right thing. The ball is in your court, Sonny."